Archive: News

After an exceptional in-house youth soccer program this fall, Lansing's Recreation Department doesn't have time to rest on its laurels.  A set of programs are in full swing for adults and children, and more are in the offing.  For adults men's basketball, women's volleyball, and coed volleyball are in progress.  For the kids it's the bowling program and gymnastics.  "We're finishing a remarkable year," Colt says.  "Soccer went well.  We've had people stepping up.  We haven't had to beg people to help, and that makes a huge difference.  We got really lucky with the weather.  And our Small Fry Football program and the flag football programs were immensely successful this year."


Ongoing programs like Karate and Cardio Step class are also going strong.  Karate was a surprise success two years ago that has resulted in session after session.  "I can't say enough good things about Robin McColley and Gail Lejoie," says Recreation Director and Parks Superintendent Steve Colt.  "They're the reason why it's successful.  Parents just can't say enough good things.  It is impressive that it's come to where it is in only two years.  They do special events now, like they did at the Harbor Festival with a demonstration class.  The last two years they conducted a special outdoor training session in the lake.  It's a different thing."

Colt says gymnastics is another popular ongoing program.  Held at the Fingerlakes Gymnastics Academy, he says the facility approaches the quality of an Olympics training facility, with a variety of equipment and a professional staff.  "It's good for the kids' physical and body awareness," Colt says.  "It helps with their body coordination.  Most kids are natural gymnasts, so this is a natural thing for them.  At this stage they are usually fearless and they're flexible.  Those are two things that are key to making it fun for them."


Another improvement in the schedule has affected the adult swim at Lansing High School Pool.  "This is the first time in a long time when we've actually been able to lock in the times, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:45 to 12: 30," Colt says.  "In the past there was an A day and a B day, and if there was a cancellation it threw the whole thing off.  With our clientele, the more experienced adults in town, they like a routine.  So this is great for us and a good experience all around."

The 3rd and 4th grade boys and girls basketball program starts in the first week in December, and runs through February.  That will run one night per week in the elementary school gym.  Boys and girls will each get their own night to work in the gym.  The one night per week approach is designed to be easier on parents, and to accommodate kids' busy schedules.

The 5th and 6th grade boys and girls program will also have their own nights.  That program will be two nights a week in the middle school gym, a departure that was caused by a later varsity practice in the High School.  But Colt says it has an additional advantage that kids will be playing in their own gym that they are accustomed to.  Those programs begin at the end of November.

Coming up is the popular ski program, and as is usual at this time of year he wants people to sign up for bus transportation.  Typically the program sends five busses to Greek Peek.  Because the weather has been so mild he worries that people aren't thinking about skiing yet, making it difficult to arrange for the busses.  "When it's 65 degrees you're just not thinking about it," Colt says.  "So we have to remind them and say, 'Look at your calendar!'  We do have deadlines for skiing and transportation, and you need to get signed up."

Even with so many active programs running Colt is looking forward to activities in Myers Park next summer.  He is very pleased with the new bandstand, built and donated to the town by the Lansing Lion's Club.  The Lions put an end to a minor controversy when they painted the structure white, after much discussion about whether it should match the brown pavilions scattered around the park.  Colt wanted brown, but is tickled to have the stage completed.  "We'll see how long it stays white," he laughs.  "There are various forces of nature that could change it.  The railing is up, it looks great, and we are excited to use that for our concert series next year."

Colt says the band stand will be available for rent for weddings and special meetings along with the pavilions next season.  He has never had so many early inquiries from bands that want to play in the Concerts in the Park series next year.  Those bands will perform on the band stand.  "The nice thing is that we know it works," Colt says.  "Lansing Harbor Festival proved it.  Harbor Festival got one of the best sound guys in the area (Calf Audio's Barney Cole).  He knocked 'em dead with his equipment and expertise.  He's already given us some pointers as to what we can do to tweak the acoustics for these concerts."

In the nearer future he is promoting the upcoming youth wrestling program.  "The instructor for that is Jerry Butler," Colt says.  "He brings a lot of energy, and has a lot of close ties with Rob Cole and Cornell University.  He brings a lot of suggestions and help from Rob Cole, who happens to live in Lansing."  That program will start December 3rd in the high school wrestling room.

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