Politics & Government
Slimmer Yorkville Recreation Catalogue Sent Out This Week
Following the city's decision to not purchase the REC Center, city leaders began to pare down recreation offerings, citing lack of space.
This week Yorkville residents can expect to find slimmer winter/ spring recreation catalogues in their mailboxes.
Following the city’s decision to not purchase the REC Center, city leaders began to pare down recreation offerings, citing lack of space.
Laura Schraw, interim parks and recreation director for Yorkville, said the new catalogue does not include fitness classes, REC Center memberships, swim lessons or open gym activities.
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“…as these are a part of the REC Center budget and will no longer be offered when we leave the facility. All of those items can still be found online at the REC Center website and will be available as long as we are in the facility, just no longer marketed,” Schraw said in an email.
Regular recreation programming has not been cut, but Schraw said the future will determine if there is facility space to offer the programs,
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While some of the classes included in the catalogue are set to be held in the small gym, Schraw said they could take place at an alternative facility if necessary.
In November Yorkville Mayor Gary Golinski charged members of the Parks and Recreation Board to consider new options for city-offered recreation without including the REC Center in its plans in the wake of voter opposition to a plan to purchase the building.
According to unofficial voter results, 52 percent of voters in the 19 precincts in Yorkville rejected the question. Election results show 3,704 voters opposed the idea, while 3,408 voters, or 47.9 percent supported the plan.
The REC Center houses the Recreation Department administrative staff, fitness equipment and programs, a pool and several recreation classes, although some recreation programs are offered at city parks and at local schools.
The REC Center currently has 1,400 members. Over 3,000 people use the facility every month, according to city documents. In the wake the referendum Olson said a number of members have terminated their REC Center membership since the facility would likely be shut down.
