With the high cost of everything from milk to gas, having a place to recreate for free is an option for community members this summer.
This summer the Conception Abbey, in Conception, Mo., opens up the doors of their John F. Kennedy fitness center to the public.
Jarrod Thome, director of communications at Conception Abbey, said this is something the Abbey provides every season to the general public.
"Ever since its founding, the Conception Abbey has been a resource to the surrounding community as well as the wider Church," Thome said. "The monks feel that total wellness includes care of the mind, soul and body, which is why it is important to make an exercise facility available to the seminarians, monks and the public."
The JFK fitness center has a pool, racquetball and handball courts, an indoor basketball hoop, treadmills, elliptical machines, free weights and weight machines.
"The public is receptive to the open rec. times and we constantly have groups come for various reasons," Thome said. "There are groups that come from the hospital for physical therapy, various youth groups and the community mentoring program also makes use of the facility."
In order to keep the JFK center open to the public, Thome said there are several serious issues, which need to be addressed by May 2009. A recent estimate from an architectural firm indicated the total update of the structure would cost approximately $300,000, Thome said, but that $150,000 would meet immediate needs.
Thome said the Conception Abbey is working on applying for grants that would help generate the funds to keep the facility open.
Open recreation hours starting are: Monday-Thursday from 4:30-8:30 p.m., Saturday from 1-5 p.m., Sunday from 1-3 p.m. Pool hours will be Monday 5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday from 4:30-7:30 p.m., with additional weekend hours available.
This year the Conception Abbey is offering private swim lessons for the first time. Tricia Files and Vickie Stoll are both members of the community who are concerned about keeping JFK open, Thome said. Both are certified American Red Cross swimming instructors.
To set up a lesson schedule contact Files at (660) 853-1347 or Stoll at (660) 944-2519.
The JFK facility also offers water aerobics for the summer. Classes are from 4:30-5:30, Monday/Wednesday; 7-8 p.m., Tuesday/Thursday; 9-10 a.m., Monday/Wednesday/Friday; and 7:30-8:30 p.m., Monday. Classes begin June 2 and end Aug.15. Cost for classes are $35 or $45 depending on which days. Monday only classes are $2 per class. Register with the instructor at the JFK pool on the first day of class.
The recreation center will open to the public June 1 and close Aug. 17. There will be no open rec. June 14 or 15 or July 5 or 6. An adult must supervise those under the age of 16.
To suggest a source of funding for needed improvements or to make a donation to the JFK recreation facility call the Conception Abbey's Development office at (660) 944-2821. For more information on the JFK facility and its offerings, contact Carolyn at (660) 944-2907.