Parks and Recreation

MEMORANDUM  

DATE:           July 2, 2008

TO:              Dave Corliss, City Manager

                      Cynthia Boecker, Asst. City Manager

FROM:          Ernie Shaw, Interim Director Parks and Recreation

RE:               CM report-- Senior Center usage

John Glassman, director of Douglas County Senior Service, contacted Jo Ellis, Recreation Program Supervisor, on May 15, 2008 about the city’s usage of the centers multi-purpose room.  DCSS offers tax service to the seniors of Lawrence and the program is being held in the multi-purpose room.  DCSS will need to set up computer equipment from December-April which will affect Parks and Recreation classes for the second session in the fall plus both sessions of the winter and spring.   

On June 18, 2008 Jo Ellis, Recreation Program Supervisor and I meet with Mr. Glassman and he informed us that the IRS has set some new security guidelines.  The computers need to be locked up when they are not in use and no one is allowed in the room because of potential privacy issues with information on the computers.  Therefore, this new policy will affect LRPD's fitness classes for Dance Fitness, Circuit Training, Hoop Aerobics and Zumba Intervals.  This will affect approximately 100 participants for each of the 5 sessions of classes.

The Parks and Recreation Department has been utilizing the Senior Center for over 25 years in the evening to offer fitness programs.  The room has hard wood floors, ceiling fans and is a nice, large open space which is ideal for fitness classes. Mr. Glassman said he would contact the IRS to see if there is any flexibility but none was expected.

Space in Lawrence designed for fitness classes and large activity levels in general are becoming challenging to find. We are currently contacting churches and schools around the downtown area to see if anyone has space available for these activities so we do not have to cancel these classes. 

Cc:  Jo Ellis

       Jonathan Douglass