The Community Recreation Center needs more members according to Joshua Posey, Recreation Director. Vetoing popular Recreation Department Programming reduces attendance and destroys goodwill. The City loses income, the center loses members, and residents lose access.

It is reprehensible that the city leadership has failed to address the labor concerns of the accredited New London Recreation Department and once again, naively believes an outside company, Power Wellness, is more capable of managing it.

Our Request

Reinstate and expand programs vetoed by Power Wellness at the New London Recreation Center.

Programs Vetoed/Cancelled

• Silver Sneakers
• Pickleball - open play for different skill levels, leagues, lessons, etc.
• Basketball over 35
• Adult and Youth Soccer
• Women's Basketball 
• Teen Volleyball
• Gymnastics/Tumbling

Stop putting New London Recreation Programs in substandard spaces…

“Although not vetoed, a couple of the Recreation classes were unexpectedly shifted out of the exercise room where they’d been held for months and relocated to a space that was unfit for exercise, i.e., substandard ventilation, stacked furniture, limited space. What added fuel to the fire is that the previously used room (which was originally designated as the Recreation room) remained unoccupied week after week.

I was so put out by the room relocation, that I decided not to sign up for the next session as did others: the classes were subsequently cancelled.” NL Resident and Recreation Center Member

We Want to Come Back to Play

“Why should I join the Rec Center when there is only open pickleball and no sessions by skill level?” Former Intermediate/Advanced New London Recreation Center pickleball player.

New London Recreation has built a community of pickleball players from teens to seniors, all ethnic backgrounds and genders who want to come back to the Rec Center to play in organized programs.

An Underutilized Public Space

A publicly funded facility is missing families and residents. Community centers exist to host community activities, not to sit idle.

We Want Equitable and Affordable Access

City-run programs ensure that youth, seniors, and low-income families aren't priced out of private alternatives.

We Deserve Health, Safety, and Wellness 

Active programming directly supports physical health, mental wellness, social interactions and positive youth development.

Our Request

Reinstate and expand programs vetoed by Power Wellness at the New London Recreation Center.