CITY SERVES AN ACE WITH ITS RECREATION PROGRAMS

Cape Girardeau's summer recreation programs are as hot as the weather. More than 2,000 people are enrolled in the city's recreation classes and leagues, a testimony to the programs' success.

In an era when citizens are looking more and more to their local governments to provide low-cost recreational activities for themselves and their children, Cape's Parks and Recreation Department is meeting the challenge.

Under the able leadership of Recreation Director Penny Wingerter, the city has expanded its offerings to meet the needs of Cape's recreation-minded citizens.

New programs include rock climbing classes at the Student Recreation Center at Southeast Missouri State University, a four-on-four adult basketball league and a high school volleyball league.

A co-ed softball league and a sand volleyball league are popular summer programs. The softball league alone involves about 600 players.

Sand volleyball is a relatively recent addition to the city recreation scene, as is a youth theater class. In only its second year, the theater class has tripled in size to more than 40 kids.

The sand volleyball pits at Arena Park see daily use and the league continues to expand. Lights were installed recently to allow for increased play. The sand volleyball league is a vivid example of why the city's recreation programs have been so successful. Years ago, sand volleyball was considered something one did on the beach, not in a midwestern city park. But times have changed and so has Cape Girardeau's recreation programs.

Sand volleyball has increased in popularity nationwide. There's now even a professional sand volleyball league. Rather than bury its head in the sand, the city of Cape Girardeau has recognized the popularity of such a sport.

Much of the cost of the city's recreation programs is borne by the participants themselves through activity fees. Some general revenue tax money, however, still goes to subsidize the programs. But the stated goal is to make such programs as self-supporting as possible.

As the largest city in the region, Cape Girardeau should be in a position to provide the best city recreation programs around. Judging from the number of participants in such programs, the city is living up to that challenge.

And what's even better, the city is already looking to improve recreational offerings with plans to construct two recreation and sports facilities.

Plans call for construction of a softball and soccer complex at Shawnee Park, and a community activity center on land at the intersection of Mount Auburn Road and Kingshighway.

In terms of summer recreation, one thing is clear: Cape Girardeau has served an ace.