Rec center holds open house

Published 10:03 pm Saturday, October 16, 2010

Open house: Taylor Outlaw, 8, left, and Shanice Whitley, 12, play on the playground at East Suffolk Recreation Center on Saturday. The center held an open house and community day to expose more citizens to its services and resources.

A police dog rushes across a field and attacks a suspect while an open door at a building nearby releases smoke and the screech of a smoke alarm.

It was not an arson scene — it was part of the East Suffolk Recreation Center community day at the N. Sixth Street location. The event featured police and fire department demonstrations, including a police dog presentation and the fire safety house. In addition, residents could enjoy safety tips, health screenings, face painting, music and tours of the newly opened parks and recreation administration building at the former East Suffolk Community Center.

“We wanted to offer an opportunity to have an open house for our new administration building, while encouraging people to be healthy and active,” said Parks and Recreation director Lakita Frazier. “We partnered with police and fire and the library to bring information about resources citizens can take advantage of.”

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The Suffolk Public Libraries’ bookmobile was on site, as was the Ident-A-Kid program. Fitness assessments also were offered as part of the day.

Parks and Recreation workers were available to show visitors through their new headquarters in the former community center building, next to the recreation center. The remodeled building features a welcome desk, a conference room, offices and cubicles for staff, a break room and storage areas.

For more information about parks and recreation, call 514-7250.