Talk About PLAY

Gazette Editorial
The Gazette
February 29, 2008

One of the Fifteen in 5 community initiatives is a state-of-the-art community life center. The volunteers who took on this task named themselves PLAY — Planning Lifelong Activities for You.

They’ve done a lot of research. They’ve gathered interesting ideas. They need more input as they try to determine what’s feasible, what would best serve our community.

This project is not just a recreation center. Yes, it could include gyms and an indoor aquatic center. It would also be more multipurpose, providing a variety of activities for young and old. One model might be Elgin, Ill., a smaller community than Cedar Rapids. Elgin built a 195,000-square-foot life center three years ago. So far, it’s drawn a million users.

It’s also revived a blighted area, attracting $300 million in other new developments.

PLAY folks have raised most of $120,000 for a feasibility study to help decide the life center’s location, whom it would serve and how to fund construction and operation.

They also want more input from residents.

Public forums are scheduled for March, a survey in April. Whether you support or question this project, let PLAY know.