Maintenance closures

Upcoming closures are scheduled at the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center and pool for repair and maintenance projects.

The pool will be closed  through Jan. 16 to replace the heat recovery coils in the pool area and paint the wading pool.

The entire Robert A. Lee facility at 220 S. Gilbert Street will be closed Jan. 4-11 while the boiler is replaced.

The Mercer / Scanlon facility and pool, located at 2701 Bradford Drive, will be open for use during this time.

For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Customer Service Desk at 319-356-5100.

Upcoming classes & programs

Flick 'n Float

Saturday, Jan. 16, 6 p.m.
Robert A. Lee Rec. Ctr.

We will be screening "Lilo & Stitch." The cost is $1 per person. Swimmers are allowed to bring one small floatation device each.

Clay Workshop with Maggie (Adults)

Saturday, Jan. 23, 1-4 p.m.
Robert A. Lee Rec. Ctr.

For beginners and experienced ceramists alike! Come make a hand-built ceramic clay planter. Techniques to address surface area will be introduced for additional color and texture design. Fee: $20

Register online or in-person at either Robert A. Lee or Mercer Park Aquatic Ctr./ Scanlon Gym Recreation Centers.

Save the date

Freeze Fest

Saturday, Feb. 20
Terry Trueblood Rec. Area

This outdoor learning program for families, in partnership with Take A Kid Outdoors, offers activities such as ice fishing, snow painting, winter hiking, birding, games and survival skill-building. Admission is free. Dress warmly!

Holiday hours

Parks & Recreation offices at Robert A. Lee Recreation Center and Mercer / Scanlon will be closed for the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 18. However, both recreational facilities and pools will be open regular hours.

https://icgov.org/pr

319-356-5100

www.facebook.com/ICParksandRec

ACTIVITY GUIDES: Electronic version available at www.icgov.org/pr. Printed copies available at both Recreation Centers, City Hall, and Iowa City Public Library.

TO SIGN UP FOR CLASSES: Electronically via ActiveNet at www.icgov.org/pr; in person at either Recreation Center; or by phone at 319-356-5100

ICPR welcomes new director

The City of Iowa City welcomes Juli Seydell Johnson as the next Director of Parks and Recreation. Seydell Johnson succeeds Mike Moran, who retired on Sept. 25. Seydell Johnson has served as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Eagan, Minn. since 2005. In her role with the City of Eagan, she was responsible for oversight of 54 parks, an indoor ice arena, waterpark and community center. She also oversaw Eagan’s facility management and fleet maintenance operations. Prior to working for the City of Eagan, Seydell Johnson served as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Coralville, Iowa, from 2000 to 2005. Click here to learn more.

Rec Center improvements

In addition to all the projects happening at Robert A. Lee this month (see "maintenance closures" in the sidebar to the left), Mercer Park Aquatic Center / Scanlon Gym is also seeing some new improvements. A brand new partition was installed on Monday, Jan. 4 in the Procter & Gamble room.

Recreation hours change

To provide a higher level of customer service to patrons throughout the evening and weekend hours, and to bring the hours of operation for the City's two recreation facilities into alignment and eliminate confusion for the public, the Iowa City Recreation Division is amending hours of operation at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center and Mercer Park Aquatic Center / Scanlon Gym. NOTE: Pool hours will NOT be impacted. For a complete schedule of facility hours, click here.

Saturday roller skating hours: In accordance with the new hours, Saturday night roller skating at Robert A. Lee will now run 6-8 p.m. The new skating season begins Saturday, Jan. 16 and runs through May 14. Note: Roller-skating may not be held on some Saturdays due to special event programming in the gymnasium.

Program Spotlight: Salsa on Sunday

Salsa on Sundays is a free ballroom dance class taught by Louise & Abdou on Sunday evenings at the Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center Social Hall. The schedule includes:

-- 5-5:30 p.m.: Beginners' introduction to salsa (basic steps)
-- 5:30-6:45 p.m.: Intermediate salsa class (warm-up,    footwork/shines, and partner work)
-- 6:45-7:45 p.m.: Latin dance social practice

Every fourth week is a bachata class.

No partner is required. The group is supportive of beginners. The ladies rotate every few minutes, so everyone gets a chance to dance and no-one is left out. 

Participants are welcome to bring non-alcoholic refreshments if they wish.

Join the Facebook group to be informed of any changes in dates/times and to be added to all future events: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Salsa.Bachata.Iowa.City/