Community Newsletter August 2023 Edition
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Note from Mayor Meghan F. George |
As you may have heard, The City of Lakewood has decided to engage a new private manager and change the operating model for the Winterhurst ice-skating facility. Since 1931, Winterhurst has been a beloved community asset and key recreation opportunity for the people of Lakewood. The City’s overarching goal is for Winterhurst to act as an affordable, inviting, community-focused ice rink that first and foremost serves the needs and priorities of the people of Lakewood. The shift to a new operator and a new model will support that goal.
Earlier this year, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to potential operators and received eight responses. In developing the RFP and evaluating the responses, the City has engaged an eight-member advisory committee of Lakewood residents and users of Winterhurst – including resident users, Lakewood City Schools, and the primary hockey, figure skating, and speed skating organizations that utilize the facility. This group has been especially helpful in the City’s efforts to finetune the model at Winterhurst and ensure that the new model positions the facility to maximize its benefit to our Lakewood community. Community involvement is key to this process and we see this as a partnership with our residents and Winterhurst users.
After careful analysis, we determined that Lakewood Community Ice (LCI) presented the proposal that best aligns with the community’s future priorities. The LCI group demonstrated a unique mix of experience and capacity. Their team has expertise in ice rink programming, ice arena operations, ice arena construction, and overall business acumen, including marketing and advertising and general operations.
LCI began operating Winterhurst on July 1st and updates to the operation and facility will be phased in over time. There may be some initial challenges as changes are implemented, so we ask for your patience – but we also are confident that this move will improve the experience for all of those using Winterhurst. We also will develop a long-term capital plan for maintaining and enhancing Winterhurst’s facilities, and will be making short-term improvements that should show immediate results.
As we work with LCI on these long-range plans for Winterhurst, our community advisory committee will continue to have an important role in guiding our thinking and helping to set priorities for the facility. It’s important for us to hear and consider the voices of those in Lakewood who use this important community asset. The City is committed to a hands-on effort to enhance this community asset and introduce a management model that allows it to truly serve Lakewood. We will keep you informed in the months to come with updates, and look forward to a bright future for Winterhurst.
Mayor Meghan F. George
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Upcoming Events & Updates |
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Congratulations to New Police Chief Kevin Fischer!
Mayor Meghan F. George administered the Oath of Office to Chief Kevin Fischer on Friday, July 7. Chief Fischer has been on the force in Lakewood for over two decades, and in a leadership role since 2011. He is also a proud Lakewood High School graduate and still calls Lakewood home, so his roots run deep. He has been working hand-in-hand with newly retired Chief Kaucheck over the past few months on transition planning to ensure everything goes smoothly and Lakewood remains a highly safe community.
Click here to read more about Chief Fischer.
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Lakewood Community Festival Applications |
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Are you interested in being a vendor at the 35th Annual Lakewood Community Festival? Applications are available here and are due by Friday, August 11.
The Lakewood Community Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Madison Park. The festival celebrates community, families, and cultural heritage. It is a day of food, fun, and activities for everyone.
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Construction Projects Update
From road resurfacing to watermain replacements, there are a lot of street improvement projects taking place in Lakewood this year. Did you know that you can check out a real-time interactive map that shows residents what projects are happening and when?
Click here to check it out. |
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Great News for Lakewood's Tree Canopy
The City of Lakewood was awarded $50,000 in grant funding from the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission's Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Grant Program. This innovative grant will support the planting of 400 trees in Lakewood over the next 18 months.
For more information, click here. |
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Intergenerational Picnic
The 2nd Annual Intergenerational Picnic will be hosted at the Cove Community Center (12525 Lake Avenue) on Wednesday, August 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This free event brings together the young and the young-at-heart for a day of food, fun, games, and connection. For more information or to RSVP, please call 216-529-5062.
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Lakewood Skatepark Phase II
The City of Lakewood is partnering with California Skateparks to develop Phase II of the Lakewood Skatepark. Whether you plan to use the park, or are simply an interested community member, we want to hear your ideas for the design of these exciting new improvements for the Lakewood Skatepark.
Please take a few minutes to respond to our survey by clicking here. |
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Summer Safety Days
This summer, members of the Lakewood Police Department and Lakewood Fire Department have been working together to host Summer Safety Days for Lakewood children ages 3-9 and their parents at Cove Community Center. Children participating in this program learn about safety while getting to know members of our safety forces.
For more information or to register your child for one of the August sessions, click here. |
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Safe Place Initiative
The City of Lakewood has launched the Safe Place Initiative to provide "safe places" throughout Lakewood for victims and those at risk of hate crimes, harassment, and bullying. The program is led by the Lakewood Police Department with Lakewood being one of the first cities in Ohio to adopt the program, which was first developed by the Seattle Police Department.
The Safe Place initiative is an innovative community-based approach the safety and policing that builds relationships to assist victims of crimes that tend to be underreported - such as hate crimes and harassment of different groups.
For more information or to sign up to participate, click here. |
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Have You Registered for ReadyNotify Yet?
In an effort to continuously enhance communications with residents and businesses, the City of Lakewood is encouraging the community to register for the Cuyahoga County ReadyNotify System. The City plans to use the system for limited Public Works emergencies. Messages from the City of Lakewood will be limited to emergency declarations and other information deemed necessary to inform residents and businesses about local conditions. This includes emergency water main breaks, snow bans, and emergency refuse changes.
To register or for more information, click here. |
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Coming Soon! Newly Resurfaced Courts at Kauffman Park and Lakewood Park
Two court resurfacing projects are nearing completion and expected to open this month. At Kauffman Park there will be a new tennis court alongside a new volleyball/badminton court. Over at Lakewood Park, the north court will be dedicated to four brand new pickleball courts. Watch our social media pages for official announcement of the courts being open for play.
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We are Hiring!
The City of Lakewood is currently seeking applicants for the following openings:
- Public Information Officer
- Animal Control Officer
- Fleet/Entry-level Mechanic
For more information and to apply, please click here.
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City of Lakewood | lakewoodoh.gov
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