By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green residents jumped right into swimming and exercise discussions at this week’s park focus group – bringing to the surface again the idea of an indoor pool at the community center.
Local residents love their swimming. So much that they would like to do it year-round.
“They do understand when they say that, that it’s very expensive,” said Kristin Otley, director of Bowling Green Parks and Recreation.
Those attending the public forum also had other suggestions for the pool:
- Flip flop the lessons, so older kids have the early morning classes when the air is the chilliest. The pool is heated, but cool mornings make it seem chillier, Otley said.
- Make better use of lap lanes which are underutilized.
- Offer weekend swim lessons.
- Add a fitness program at the pool for older children.
- Add an indoor salt water therapy pool.
Residents also brought up the possibility of creating a premium pass for the community center, and working out a deal with the Bowling Green State University Recreation Center, to allow members to use the indoor pool in the winter.
“People were interested in that,” Otley said.
Bowling Green Community Center
The public forum also focused on the community center and programming offered there.
Residents said they were interested in youth and family fitness classes, including parent and child yoga. Others suggested offering fitness classes for parents and children, at the same time but in different areas of the center.
It was mentioned that an obstacle trail behind the community center was being considered. “People seemed to like that,” Otley said.
Some other suggestions included:
- More fitness classes for seniors.
- Another “True Fit” class.
- Kick boxing program.
- Offering 5 and 10 kilometer races, and mini triathlons.
Those at the forum pointed out the reasonable costs of the pool and community center, the qualified staff, the well maintained facilities, and cleanliness of the sites.
This week’s park forum was the third in a series of five to get citizen input for the strategic plan. Two more focus groups are planned – with each one targeting a specific topic. The comments will be restricted to the topics for each forum, which are:
- May 11: Active parks (City Park, Carter Park, etc.)
- May 18: Future directions.
All the meetings will be held at the Bowling Green Community Center, beginning at 7 p.m. Free child care will be available.
Anyone interested in a particular topic, but is unable to make it to that meeting, may email comments to the focus group moderator, Shannon Orr, from Bowling Green State University at skorr@bgsu.edu.
