Anyone wanting a say in what programs Corning’s recreation department will be offering this summer and over the next year can do so by taking the city’s online recreation survey available through the city’s website – www.corning.org.
During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, City Manager Kristina Miller said the city has already received more than 600 responses and she is hoping to receive even more.
“This is very exciting for our community,” she added.
The city is now looking for volunteers who will serve as instructors for recreation programs such as art, baking, Pinterest projects, basketball, robotics, skateboard and scooters, and more.
Miller said one of the most popular requests from the surveys she has received is for a one-day Nature Camp.
“I have found the responses to be very interesting,” she added. “I think we can look forward to a very successful and diverse recreation program this summer.”
The Recreational and Youth Enrichment Program is being made possible through a partnership between the city and the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians.
In March the City Council voted unanimously to go into an agreement with the band to fund the youth recreation and enrichment program within the city.
The band approached the city about funding the program through the federal Promise Neighborhood Grant which the band has been facilitating for the past three years.
Miller said the band has offered to provide the city a total of $200,000 through the end of this year to get the program up and going and to hire a program supervisor.
Then if the program is deemed successful, the band will provide an additional $200,000 to carry the program through 2019.
It has been seven years since the city has had a recreation program supervisor when the city had to pull the plug on the position due to the budget crisis.
Miller said the city is going to have to move quickly to implement the program so as to retain funding for 2019.
Funding will cover the costs of course/program instructors, volunteer stipends, materials and supplies, online reservation software, and other supervisors salary. Miller said she anticipates the supervisor position compensation will be about $100,000 annually.
“At least 300 children and youth must participate in the program by December 31,” Miller said.
In an effort to establish successful programs and courses, Miller has met with Corning Union Elementary School District Superintendent Rick Fitzpatrick regarding collaboration opportunities with the district.