Loading...
Community Recreation Center, General Concpets & Service Goal 1987 Prepared by: Key & Company i\ugust 10, 1987 Feasibility Study for Community Indoor Recreation Facilities City of Salina, Kansas Report I GENERM. CONCEPT }\ND SERVICE GOJ\LS of a COMMUNITY RECREJ\TION CENTER Repon 1 GENERAL CONCEPT AND SERVICE GOALS OF A COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER Background Throughout recorded history people have congregated in communities for mutual protection and sustenance. Anthropologists refer to us as a gregarious species. We are not loners; we have a strong tendency to seek and enjoy the company of others. Even those who live a remote lifestyle for economic reasons such as farmers and ranchers occasionally find it necessary to visit friends or relatives, attend church, go shopping, transact business in town, or otherwise seek human contact. As civilization has become more complicated and sophisticated, various physical means of accommodating human interaction have arisen including schools, work places, churches, shopping centers, residential developments (ranging from sparse to quite dense), and community centers. The latter of these have taken many forms, more recently incorporating a major leisure component. In fact, most communities nowadays refer to such facilities as 'Recreation Centers', or 'Community Recreation Centers' - places where many forms of leisure activity are available to visitors. In Salina, indoor recreation programs available from the public sector have historically been housed in various scattered facilities, to which some or all of the following descriptive terms might apply: oOwned by others oRecreation use subordinate to owner's schedule ORecreation use terminated by owner oSpace too small ONo longer needed for original purpose; therefore available for recreation olll-adapted for recreation activities This is not to suggest that Salina's indoor recreation program has been unsuccessful; on the contrary, it has succeeded admirably despite a lack of quality space. It does seem apparent, however, that public recreation has been assigned a lower priority among public facility needs, perhaps for the very reason that the program has made such effective use of unneeded and inadequate facilities. I' Responsibility of Local Government in Providing Leisure Services Why should a city provide park and recreation services? Where does a community's obligation in this regard begin and end? There can be no one general answer applicable to all communities since there is little argument that city government's primary duty is to provide 'general government' services such as fire and police protection, street maintenance, water and sewer services, land use regulation, etc. Parks and recreation falls under the 'proprietary services' heading; that is, it is non-essential in the legal sense, and is established only when general government services are already functioning. The following precepts apply to all communities in varying degrees and should serve as a basis for understanding the justifications available to a public agency for providing leisure services to its constituents. o Leisure, used in a constructive manner, is basic to the self-fulfillment and life enrichment of the individual and therefore helps to strengthen the stability of the family, the community, and the nation. o How people use their leisure time is an important social question. By providing recreation resources, a community is contributing to the physical, mental, and social health of its residents. o Leisure is Important to the economic health of the community. Its benefits of refreshment of mind and body result in greater alertness and productivity at the workplace. And, prospective employers, when considering locating plant and/or office facilities, always evaluate the quantity and quality of leisure and cultural resources in the candidate community, together with schools, labor pool, and other factors. Also, well designed and maintained parks and recreation facilities enhance adjoining property values. o Constructive leisure is recognized as an community life by developing leadership skills participation in community betterment. effective way to enhance and stimulating popular o Leisure resources, particularly beautiful parks, contribute importantly to the community's lifestyle and physical environment. o It is only through public recreation that a large portion of the population will have access to a quality recreation experience, such as swimming, tennis, golf, picnicking, and many indoor activities. o Community sponsorship of recreation participation by all ages, races, and creeds, the during all seasons of the year. It is democratic and (Source: Peterson and Schroth, Purdue University) services encourages equal disabled and disadvantaged - inclusive. Recreation Center Concept and Service Goals The recreation center normally is regarded as one component of the total community recreation program. In many communities, it plays a key role by providing critical indoor space for most of the organized, class-oriented activities offered by the local public recreation jurisdiction. The general concept of a recreation center is to provide, under one roof, space for a multitude of community activities, most of which are recreation related. This allows a concentration of activity at one location so that users have a dependable outlet in space and time. Programs are centralized and have the effect of supporting one another. A synergistic climate is created where persons of all ages and interests come together for greater enjoyment and opportunity. Individual family members can be involved simultaneously in different activities and be exposed to other interests and people. Single persons have a chance to meet and mingle in a wholesome environment. The community recreation center is deeply involved with stimulating, maintaining, and increasing the 'quality of life,' the loss of which is so universally lamented in many communities. It is also characterized by its unique role in the creative use of leisure time and for a variety of different user opportunities. 2 As a society, we are still searching for a modem-day equivalent to the Greek agora, the village green, the town 'square,' or the Cathedral dominating a plaza. We have been more successful at building professional sports stadiums than local community centers. Yet, a reaction to purely passive, spectator forms of leisure is being observed all over the country. People are becoming more actively involved in shaping their own lives, with the use of leisure time no exception. A hypothesis may be offered that the community recreation center involves these factors: -a gathering place of many types of leisure activities and related social services that draw people out of their homes -easy transition from passive to many kinds of active involvement, with abundant chances for people to meet informally -mixing of divergent people -stimulating architectural expression -relationship with nearby outdoor recreation opportunities With the necessary prerequisite of excellent leadership, a community recreation center can only work to im prove the quality of life and enrich personal lives if it is part of a total program dedicated to the needs of the entire community. Flexibility to respond to the changing requirements of user groups and to the necessity of an effective marketing effort for programs offered must be acknowledged. If the facility is skillfully designed and expertly managed, it can provide a positive sense of community pride for many years. The broad service goals of a community recreation center may be enumerated as follows: I. Provide leisure opportunities for a wide range of interests, age groups, and those who do not have access to private sector services. 2. Teach lifetime skills and values in leisure leadership, cooperation, team work, community organization, and respect for others. pursuits, social interaction, spirit and involvement, 3. Serve as a community focus for a certain level of activity and involvement. 4. Play a role in extended education and skills training. 5. Provide a means of partially bridging the social gap between ages, races, classes, and religions. 6. Provide support for certain social service functions. Potential Functions and Activities of a Community Recreation Center The recreation center has the potential for becoming the 'headquarters' for community recreation. Though many activities may actually be located elsewhere, the center may provide various support functions such as registration, information, staff offices, storage, orientation of participants and instructors, and others. Therefore, over a period of time, the community begins to identify the center as the hub of community leisure resources. 3 Programs offered at the center may accomplish the following: oTeach a skill(s) oProvide physical exercise olmprove fitness/wellness olncrease intellectual understanding oCombination of these The catalog of specific activities which may be offered is almost endless in view of the enormous range of personal tastes and individual needs. The following list presents examples of activities which can be potentially scheduled at a community recreation center. This list includes many activities which are now sponsored by the Salina Recreation Commission as well as activities which could be evaluated and introduced at a future time. Included also, are some activities which may be more appropriately offered by others, or may be totally inappropriate within the context of a recreation center in Salina. Whether to offer certain activities is a policy question to be decided by the Recreation Commission. The seasonal program of activities should be dynamic and flexible - responsive to citizen desires but also shaped by the professional expertise and innovative efforts of the staff. In all cases, the program should be skillfully promoted (marketed) to ensure that adequate information is disseminated and people urged to participate. Athletics Gymnastics, tumbling, trampoline Basketball Volleyball Badminton Handball/Racquetball Squash Aquatics -Recreational swimming -Instruction -Competitive (team) -Diving, rec. & competitive -Therapeutic -Synchro-swim -Kayaking -Water Safety, WSA, WSI -8norkling, scuba Wrestling Tennis Ice skating Figure skating Ice hockey Curling Martial arts - judo, karate, etc. Skip rope Fencing Cheer leading Baton Officiating workshops Fitness/Wellness Aerobic exercising, conditioning Weight and circuit training Aerobic dancing Walking Jogging, running Dancercize Diet control/nutrition Fitness testing Hiking Health/Wellness workshop Massage Swimming Yoga Meditation Stop smoking workshop Sauna Steam room Whirlpool 4 Table Games Billiards Pool Ping Pong Bridge Checkers Chess Scrabble Trivial pursuit Dominoes Special Events Lectures Travelogues Banquets Exhibits Art shows Arts and crafts fairs Halloween party Mayor's Christmas Party Spelling Bee Club Activities Chess Bridge Scrabble Photography Model airplane Model railroad Investing Travel Coin collecting Stamp collecting History Computer science Electronics Arts and Crafts Photography Leather working Doll making Pottery Drawing and sketching Learning about the arts Knitting Puppetry Modeling Batik Ceramics Painting - all media Sculpting Handcrafts, all types Weaving Calligraphy Flower arranging Stained glass Cartooning jewelry making Print making Carving Dyeing Cooking/Culinary Arts French cuisine German cuisine Chinese cuisine Mexican cuisine Native american cooking Cake decorating Vegetarian cooking Baking/Pastries Party planning Cooking for health Dance Ballet Ballroom Clogging Country swing jazz jitterbug Modern Rhythm and motion Tap Choreography Square Round Stage show . Club Senior Programs Dancing Physical fitness Arts and crafts Swim fitness and lessons Cooking Counseling Clubs 5 Practical Knowledge Computer workshop Home remodeling Color analysis Energy savings Wallpaper workshop First aid/CPR Fly fishing Fly tying Cosmetic use Gardening, indoor gardening Landscaping Sign language Foreign languages - conversational Auto maintenance 'Topic-of-the-week' discussions Real estate Map reading Orienteerlng Bicycle mechanics Movie making Video equipment use Writing Furniture refinishing Hunter safety and procedures Personal finance Speed reading Personal and business law Ecology, conservation Gemology, minerals Private Group Reservations Meetings Banquets Pool parties Wedding receptions Family reunions Company parties Birthday parties Miscellaneous Guitar Banjo Juggling Literature, poetry Dog obedience Nature study Community chorus Barbershop singing Acting and mime Movies Table tennis Pool, billiards, snooker Escorted trips Storytelling Television lounge Roller skating Ancillary Facilities Reception desk Registra tion Lounge Staff offices Restrooms Storage - equipment, supplies Custodial Maintenance Mechanical equipment - HVAC Child care Social Services Health screening Referral services Coping with change workshops Interpersonal relationships Special Populations Selected activities Civic Services Bulletin board and flyer desk to disseminate information conerning City Commission, School Board, Planning Commission, Recreation Commission, civic events, library, Bi-Centennial Center events, Community theater, colleges, and other recreation providers. Serves as a clearing house of information about the community. Meeting location for Recreation Commission, City Commission (perhaps informally), public hearings, public presentations. 6 __J Additional Benefits to the Community Resulting from a Recreation Center 1. Contributes to a 'sense of community' and community identity. 2. Improves levels of health - physical and mental. -reduction of stress -diversion, escape from day to day routine 3. Deters crime and drug use. By providing activities and opportunities which are interesting, challenging, wholesome, and fun, the center can serve as an acceptable social alternative to young people. 4. Expands and enriches community lifestyle. 5. Strengthens local economy. 6. Strengthens the family unit by offering activities for all ages, interests; active and passive. Supports the building of mutual interests by all family members. 7. Helps to bring disabled persons into the mainstream of the community. 8. Helps stabilize the population by providing incentives for young people to stay and prospective employers to come in. Robert E. Key August 19, 1987 7