When I launched my campaign, I said that the Rec Centers should use the same successful model as the Library. I wanted to expand on that here.
The Library has a “Library Friends & Foundation (LPLFF)” group that raises money for all of the Library’s programs. More information can be found here:
In 2024, the Library’s Friends group raised over $500,000. This is the same amount that is needed to provide free access to Lawrence and Douglas County residents for continued access to the Rec Centers.
I believe that the City is too quick to institute fees without adequately looking at other funding models that ARE working. The best example of this is the Library’s Friends group.
The City should provide a grace period while a new organization can be established using the Library’s Friends group as the model. This group can be the fundraising arm of Parks and Recreation – a fundraising goal that they will be able to hit using the lessons learned from the Library’s Friends group