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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Despite the snow covered yards and some secondary roads the Lakes, Parks and Recreation Committee is preparing for summer!
    
The LPRC will offer several summer camps, dances at Rotary Park, movies in the park, and much more.

“But we also have a lot of new programs that we're working to develop including a science camp that we're gonna offer this summer and also a movie in the park series.  We're gonna do one in June and then another one in August so we're really excited to bring that to the city of Kirksville,” said Community Services Director Melanie Smith.

Both the science camp and theatre camp will most likely be offered in July.

“Broadway in the Park” will feature Alice in Wonderland this summer.  Swimming lessons will also be offered as usual.

Capital improvements were also discussed.  A major part of their 2010 budget is put aside to repaint the indoor pool.    

“Our indoor pool is due for repainting so that's a pretty expensive project but if you don't do it every 5 years or so and the paint starts to chip off that's certainly an issue that will cause you more problems down the road,” said Smith.

Smith estimates it will cost $20,000 to repaint the pool which they plan to do after the outdoor pool is open.

The same amount of money is also put aside to purchase new equipment at Jaycee Park.

$6,000 are set aside to fix the drainage issues at that park as well.

Smith says they hope those improvements will allow the park to get more use throughout the year.

Several committee members mentioned the lack of programs for senior citizens.

“We try to offer programming for all ages and we have such a small staff in the parks and recreation department, there's just 3 full time folks and then seasonal folks.  We try to offer things that are multi-generational so something for the whole family for any age, that's our “Broadway in the Park” things like that,” said Smith.

Smith says because of the small staff, often times parks and rec will partner with other agencies to offer additional programs. 

Also discussed at Tuesday's meeting was plans for LPRC to plant trees at several Kirksville parks to celebrate Arbor Day sometime in April.