by SC Publisher Shannen Hayes
Sanibel launched “Recreation Reimagined” on Friday, March 25, a key component of the city’s comprehensive assessment of its recreation facilities and programs. The objective is to engage the community in a conversation about the recreation needs of all citizens – youth, adults and seniors.
There has not been a broad-based community conversation about citizens’ wishes, priorities and vision for recreational facilities and programs since the Parks and Recreation Master Plan was adopted in August 2002.
The Sanibel Recreation Center and Center4Life closed in March 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. The city has struggled to restart operations at the Recreation Center this past year, which prompted council to undertake a comprehensive study of its recreation facilities and programs.
And Center4Life is part of the study since the senior center is one of the city’s recreation facilities. In December 2019, the city purchased a former bank building on Library Way to renovate it for a potential new Center4Life. But council voted in February to wait until the study is complete before considering any renovation plans.
Last summer, council voted to request proposals from consultant firms to undertake this comprehensive and holistic study. In January, council awarded the contract to BerryDunn, a prominent New England-based consulting firm with expertise in parks and recreation.
The study is expected to take 8 to 10 months and will result in a detailed report of options and alternatives for council to consider in reimagining the future of the city’s recreation department facilities and programs.
The goal of the study is to reimagine all components of Sanibel’s recreation department – the Recreation Center, Center4Life and outdoor sports programs – to better meet citizens’ recreation needs.
All members of the Sanibel community are invited to participate in this important conversation – residents (seasonal or full time who rent or own), business owners, workers and non-profit members whether a past or present user or non-user of city recreation facilities.
The community’s input during this part of the study will help inform decision which will guide the future development of the city’s recreation facilities and programs. Many opportunities have been created to ensure all citizens can take part in this historic process.
Open House – 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 9 at the Rec Center, 3880 Sanibel Captiva Rd.
• Four “charrette” stations will be set up in the gym for residents to share ideas and comments
• Free family-friendly activities, including the leisure pool and splash pad
• The Kiwanis Club will serve free hot dogs, popcorn and beverages
• Tours will be offered
Farmer’s Market – 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 10 on City Hall grounds, 800 Dunlop Rd.
A booth will be set up and the project team will be available to hear input and answer questions
“Social Point” Online – available through May 1
• Multiple-Choice Survey: answer questions about present and past use of the various recreation facilities, programs and activities. Estimated completion time is 10 minutes
• Two Forum Questions: investment ideas and improvement ideas for recreation department operations. These questions provide the chance to comment on specific ideas for improvement following completion of the survey.
• Ideas Wall: An interactive community conversation tool centered on six topics:
customer service, parks and facilities, program instructors, family activities, youth activities and senior activities
There can be as many ideas and comments as the public wishes to provide in the forum questions and on the ideas wall, and can return to the Social Point multiple times through May 1. Comments will be anonymous and posted for others to view and respond with a thumbs up or down.
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