New Curfew Law

Joe Ott · Post by **Joe Ott** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:11 pm

Stephanie Toole wrote:To this comment I'd have to just say...wouldn't it be nice if they ran CROSS COUNTRY instead! Those kids quietly do their runs at 7:30am Mon.-Fri. No cans of spray paint, no drug deals, no fights....but I have to admit, if my son Jay could run with a basketball, he would!
GO RANGERS!!

Lightbulb just went off in my head... I just realized the name...
:lol:

sharon kinsella · Post by **sharon kinsella** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:15 pm

DL -

I did not make a note of the lack of a rec center looking for it to be a money maker and maybe there are other opportunities for play however -

1. More costs are incurred rounding up juveniles who have nothing to do and are bored - big potential for trouble there.

2. If a kid doesn't ice skate or swim what everyday activities are there for them to interact and be with their peers?

3. Playgrounds should be for children who are age appropriate for the space - we need things to tell the older kids they can do that will be fun and provide an opportunity to blow off steam.

I have raised 2 children to a very successful adulthood - in Lakewood. Let me tell you if your kid is not in organized sports where to you tell them to go and what to do? I managed - but only because my children were interested in intellectual pursuits and organizing opportunities.

My daughter used to bring home homeless teenagers that hung out at Madison Park. We used to feed them and let them use the shower. We fed other kids who had no food at home.

My son taught a lot of younger kids how to play video games and chess.

Not every kid has the opportunity or interest to pursue these things. With a rec center we would save money. Less vandalism. Less delinquency - kids who are exhausted from healthy physical activity do not have the energy to get into trouble.

We need to give teenagers interesting and fun alternatives to drugs, alcohol and a rec center would be a catalyst.

Ryan Salo · Post by **Ryan Salo** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:18 pm

What would a rec center have that the great new YMCA doesn't have? Most other rec centers in other cities still charge people to use it, so what exactly would the rec center have that we don't already have?

Stephanie Toole · Post by **Stephanie Toole** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:21 pm

Sat. Nov. 3, 2007, Scioto Downs, Columbus, OH....LHS Ranger XC Team........see you there!
(It's Jay's 17th birthday too!)

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."
-Pre

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:21 pm

Ryan Salo wrote:What would a rec center have that the great new YMCA doesn't have? Most other rec centers in other cities still charge people to use it, so what exactly would the rec center have that we don't already have?

Room?

From what I hear the YMCA is packed most times of the day and night. They wish they had built it larger.

As we get ready to tear down or sell McKinley, I think we should look long and hard at developing it into something more.

.

Ryan Salo · Post by **Ryan Salo** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:29 pm

I hope you are suggesting a private company to run this. The city has a hard enough time running what we have!

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:47 pm

Ryan Salo wrote:I hope you are suggesting a private company to run this. The city has a hard enough time running what we have!

Ryan

You are talking to the guy that believes more than any other.

Of course that would be competition for the YMCA, maybe we should let the city take a little of the lead with help from the schools.

Imagine McKinley, with the gym, various work out rooms, basketball, baseball, a large work out room in the front overlooking the street.

.

sharon kinsella · Post by **sharon kinsella** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:02 pm

What would the rec center have that the Y doesn't.

How about no membership fee? Believe it or not a lot of families can not afford to pay for membership to the Y.

Ryan Salo · Post by **Ryan Salo** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:09 pm

Sharon,

I have inquired at a lot of city rec centers in the past and I have never found one that is free. The Y does have programs for those that cannot afford the full membership, but some rec centers like the North Olmsted one was even more expensive.

Do you know of any city rec centers that do not charge?

Bryan Schwegler · Post by **Bryan Schwegler** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:09 pm

Ryan Salo wrote:What would a rec center have that the great new YMCA doesn't have? Most other rec centers in other cities still charge people to use it, so what exactly would the rec center have that we don't already have?

Most tax-payer funded rec centers cost a whole lot less than the YMCA to use.

sharon kinsella · Post by **sharon kinsella** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:23 pm

City of Cleveland manages to do it with no charge.

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:33 pm

In my opinion, we probably have had a "class" issue in Lakewood since the very inception of our city. I can think of few other cities where the wealthy and the poor live in such close proximity.

Still, this has not been a bad thing necessarily, at least in my opinion. It really seems that when the wealthy leave an area, that difficulties can begin in earnest.

Both groups, and their interactive dynamics, would seem to have made historical contributions to the mosaic of Lakewood.

Rec centers that I've been to in Cleveland (Michael Zone, Cuddell, Gunning) as well as those in other suburbs, have been places where residents, often of modest income, can meet, enjoy sports, and participate in a variety of activities ranging from senior dances to family picnics. An urban rec center is a vastly different place than a "Y", as far as I'm concerned.

As fine a place as our "Y" is, I really think we might need to go one better. We need a community rec center badly for young and old to meet, and have a variety of constructive activities available for Lakewoodites of the full demographic stratum.

The politician advocating a community rec center would go a long way towards getting my vote.

Or, perhaps the "Y" plans to cover many of those other rec-center type activities in the future?

Ryan Salo · Post by **Ryan Salo** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:35 pm

Just an FYI

The Y has a sliding scale for membership, they will not turn anyone down do to financial hardship. Right now there is open gym for high school aged kids everyday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. During the school year they are open from 3:30-7:00pm. According to some people the only thing that gets packed is the work out room on the 2nd floor, the gym almost always has room.

Here is some pricing on a family membership from some area rec centers

Westlake - $450 yr
Strongsville - $379
Middleburg Heights - $230
North Olmsted - swimming only - $350
Brookpark - $195
YMCA - $735, youth only is $16.13 a month

Obviously the Y is more but with the sliding scale it is much less if you qualify. Applications for the scholarship program are available at the front desk, you need to provide your last 2 paystubs and your 1040's from the past two years (according to the front desk).

Everyone that cannot afford the Y should apply for the scholarship, it may be much easier than building a new facility.

Also - if Cleveland already offers free activites to the youth, why are they still coming over here? Will it really get used by the people we want to use it?

Dee Martinez · Post by **Dee Martinez** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:44 pm

Ryan Salo wrote:
Everyone that cannot afford the Y should apply for the scholarship, it may be much easier than building a new facility.

I agree on this.
Lakewood is not hurting for physical spaces. We will still have 10 school buildings when all is said and done each with a modern gym. The Beck Center and armory are unused much of the time. We have the three neighborhood Catholic schools that closed to become the Lakewood City Academy. Even the smallest churches have some spaces that can accomodate arts or learning programs. And the good Lord knows we have all those empty storefronts, some of them quite large.
The issue is manpower mostly, supervision and maintenance. Liability, utilities, repairs, etc.
The Chat Room had space donated but couldn't maintain a steady supply of adult volunteers or paid staff. And that was a couple of sofas and a TV set. Imagine trying to maintain a health club.
(Not wanting to dismiss Mr O'Bryan's idea out of hand, but keep in mind that McKinley, which probalby wont be avaialble until 2010 anyway, is on exactly the opposite end of the city from where the majority of the concerns are.)
Unless the city or private foundations are ready to make a massive commitment to such a project better to get those applications from the Y, I think (PS-I don't go there nearly as often as I should, but Mr Salo is correct, the courts are usually open)

sharon kinsella · Post by **sharon kinsella** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 4:06 pm

The scholarships at the Y are great - however - sliding scale is not free - there is a limit on the number of scholarships available. $16.00 may not be a lot of money for many kids but some it is not an option.

My point being - instead of hiring a bunch of police people it might be a better use of already strained funds to do something posiitive and proactive.

In addition - I need to say - I truly do not like all the references to thugs. If you want to see some I will be more than happy to drive you to places in Cleveland where they are - I have no issues about going to those neighborhoods. Who wants to go on a field trip?