Las Vegas rolls out expanded summer camps, new Olympic‑size pool ribbon cutting and STEAM programming at Becker Technology Center

At the June 2 meeting Lisa Tovar, the city’s recreation manager, told commissioners summer camp has started and the department added roughly 100 participant slots during the first week, achieving about 93% capacity. She said seasonal pools are open and announced a ribbon cutting for a new outdoor Olympic‑size pool at Pavilion on June 25 (event at 9 a.m., tours at 10 a.m.) with a public opening on June 29.

Tovar invited commissioners to a Becker Technology Center update. Dylan Ackerman, acting coordinator at Becker, described a deliberate push into STEAM: robotics, multi‑filament 3D printing, coding, game‑design curriculum, virtual‑reality purchases and an expanded esports and gaming offering for youth without at‑home access. Ackerman said the center operates with 1:1 technology access for students and shared that staff are redistributing one‑year‑old equipment to other centers (Mirabelli, Cimarron Rose, Veterans Community Center, Doolittle) to seed STEAM programs citywide.

Ackerman highlighted KidCaster Studios, a youth broadcast program in which participants learn editing, interviewing and production skills, then record game highlights and interviews at local fields. Commissioners praised the cross‑pollination of tech and media programming and asked how residents can find class schedules; Ackerman recommended facility tours and the online catalog as the primary sources.

Commissioners also raised interest in community gardening and outdoor education; Ackerman said some centers, including East Las Vegas and Doolittle, have existing gardens and staff would consider expanding that type of programming.

No actions were taken; staff will continue outreach and post schedules online before the next program cycle.