Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Recreation Center topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City provides update on Recreation & Cultural Center, holiday events and introduces new community engagement manager
Summary
City staff showed construction flyover footage of the Recreation & Cultural Center, previewed December holiday events and MLK Week programming, and introduced Jackie Vicker as the new Community Engagement Manager; staff said programming and standard operating procedures are being finalized and ribbon-cutting timing will be announced later.
City staff provided a strategic update focused on quality-of-life initiatives, including construction progress at the Winter Haven Recreation & Cultural Center, upcoming holiday programming and the city's new community engagement hire.
Julie Adams (Public Affairs) shared flyover footage of construction progress at the Recreation & Cultural Center, describing outdoor sport courts, playground areas, the aquatics layout and the gymnasium footprint. Adams said construction is progressing well with Collage Construction and staff are finalizing SOPs, use policies and programming plans to transition activities from Rotary Park to the new facility when it opens.
Natalie Wilson, Special Events and Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, outlined holiday programming: the Central Park tree lighting (Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.), the Havendale Christmas parade (Dec. 5 in partnership with Auburndale), the Christmas Boat Parade on Dec. 6, Winter Haven Winter Wonderland (Dec. 12) and a menorah lighting with Chabad (Dec. 18). She said Main Street Winter Haven and local businesses donated decorations and refreshments and that MLK week programming (Jan. 12–19) will be detailed at the Jan. 12 commission meeting.
Public affairs staff introduced Jackie Vicker as the city's new Community Engagement Manager. Vicker said she started Nov. 10 after a hiring process that included community interview panels and will lead neighborhood outreach, a certified-ambassador employee program and neighborhood-based engagement efforts.
Staff will return with more detailed scheduling and operational plans for the Recreation & Cultural Center and additional MLK-week details at future meetings.
