The Observation Deck

Mark Crnolatas wrote:Last question: Does the LO really have a chevy malibu citizen patrol car?
(If I missed something, maybe I need to get out among adults more often)

Mark Allan Crnolatas

Yes, along with a Subaru, Saturn, and Mini. There is some talk of a limo, as the request to Observe and field trip has gone through the roof.


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A rec center I like the sound of that. Other cities have them. Lakewood residents pay higher taxes than those in other cities with rec centers.

I would be willing to help get something like this going. We have thought about moving from Lakewood many times. This is our home and our city, moving is not the answer. Doing something is.

I don't understand all the fuss about basketball hoops. Just because there are no hoops, all of lkwd kids are doomed to violence, drugs, and the thug underground?

To a lot of people basketball makes a lot of noise and is a nuisance the same as playing cornhole.

I'm surprised we haven't seen a PD article "LAKEWOOD KIDS DOOMED - NO HOOPS!". Tongue-in-cheek. Don't get in an uproar...

Rec centers are big money losers. I would like to look in other directions for play opportunities.

[quote="Joe Ott"]I don't understand all the fuss about basketball hoops. Just because there are no hoops, all of lkwd kids are doomed to violence, drugs, and the thug underground?

No, but they'd sure like a court nearby to play on, instead of having to drive(for those old enough) to near by cities at $3.00 a gallon for gas!

(quote= 'Joe Ott')"To a lot of people basketball makes a lot of noise and is a nuisance the same as playing cornhole."

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!!

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...

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.

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?

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

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.


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

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.

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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.

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?

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.