Newsroom

Planned repairs to the streets adjacent to Bo Diddley Plaza were delayed due to extenuating circumstances. Paving, grading and drainage repair has been rescheduled for Monday, June 25 and Tuesday, June 26 from 6 a.m.–5 p.m. at the corner of Southeast First Street and East University Avenue. The repairs are necessary to resolve water from pooling at the intersection. Please be advised of the following changes to traffic:

The City of Gainesville is soliciting input regarding the 2018-2022 Five Year Consolidated Plan and 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan. The Consolidated Plan is a five-year housing and community development planning document that includes how the City of Gainesville will allocate Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program funds. The Consolidated Plan is carried out through Annual Action Plans, which provide a concise summary of the actions, activities, and the specific federal and non-federal resources that will be used each year to address the priority needs and specific goals identified by the Consolidated Plan.

The City of Gainesville has updated its Citizen Participation Plan for the City of Gainesville’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) grants received annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The public review and written comment period concludes Wednesday, July 11, 2018.

The Equal Opportunity Director interviews being held Tuesday, June 19 will be available online to stream Thursday after all interviews are concluded. 

On Thursday, June 21 at 10 a.m., thousands of children and adults are invited to unite at aquatics facilities around the world to set a new global record for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL). The City of Gainesville is proud to be one of the nation’s top water safety and training organizations that joins forces with worldwide participants in order to foster education on the vital importance of swimming lessons that aid drowning prevention. The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) is joining Team WLSL to once again break a world record and send the message that swimming lessons save lives. The global record attempt takes place at three Gainesville locations: Andrew R. Mickle Pool, Dwight H. Hunter (Northeast) Pool and H. Spurgeon Cherry (Westside) Pool.

Team WLSL and the City of Gainesville aim to surpass last year’s participant numbers and set an eighth Guinness World Record in this category. The current Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson stands at approximately 41,000  participants representing 27 different countries. Last year, Gainesville’s pools had 438 participants.

“Our participation is meant to draw attention to a very important message - by teaching children to swim, we are having a real impact on reducing the drowning rate among children,” explains Interim Recreation Manager John Weber. “Our goal is to get the message out to the community that swimming lessons help save lives, while having fun at the same time!”

Tragically, drowning remains the leading cause of unintended, injury-related death for children age one-five years old, and the second leading cause of accidental death for children under 14. Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children aged one to four, yet many kids do not receive formal swimming or water safety training.

To participate in this event and be part of history, please arrive at 9:45 a.m., 15 minutes before the swimming lesson, at one of the three Gainesville host location facilities: Mickle Pool, 1717 SE 15th St.; Northeast Pool, 1100 NE 14th St.; or Westside Pool, 1001 NW 31st Dr. Registering for the WLSL allows you to enjoy the pool for the day!

If you are unable to attend the event, PRCA offers swimming lessons at all three pools during the summer. For more information please visit http://www.cityofgainesville.org/ParksRecreationCulturalAffairs/Sports,AquaticsFitness/Aquatics/SwimLessons.aspx.

To learn more about this event, visit www.WLSL.org or call 352-334-5067.

The band Fast Lane features funk, soul and R&B at its “Free Fridays” concert, held Friday, June 22 from 8-10 p.m. at the Bo Diddley Plaza.

The “Free Fridays” Concert Series, as part of its celebration of June as African-American Music Appreciation Month,  presents The Shakedown Friday, June  15 from 8-10 p.m. at the Bo Diddley Plaza.
 
The Shakedown is a five-piece, Gainesville-based band specializing in contemporary blues with a rock and classic soul edge. The band is comprised of stage veterans well-seasoned in a variety of musical genres, but who have a special affinity for the unique expression of heart and grit that blues music offers. The band has some of its greatest influences from blues greats such as Albert King and Koko Taylor to the newer stylings of artists like Walter Trout, Susan Tedeschi, Eric Clapton and Danielle Nicole.

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department is pleased to announce that the Gainesville Arts & Parks Foundation received a $10,000 donation for the Northeast 31st Avenue Park improvements from the GFWC Gainesville Woman’s Club. The improvement project for the park recently received approval for Wild Spaces and Public Places funding as well.

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA) needs  volunteer coaches for Pop Warner Football and Cheer. Pop Warner is more than a game; it promotes academic success and accountability in its participants. Coaches help to foster values such as fairness, caring, citizenship, respect, responsibility and trustworthiness in our youth.

First aid/CPR and specific cheer/football certifications are required to coach. PRCA will train and pay for certifications. Volunteers will need to pass a background check and must be able to follow guidelines of Pop Warner.

Coaches are required to attend a mandatory meeting held by the Putnam Athletic League, held Saturday, July 21. Practices start the first week of August, with games and practices running through October. Additional games may be played for league and regional championships. Cheer also participates in league and regional competitions, with the possibility of playing at the national championship on Saturday, Dec 8. Some travel will be required.

Those interested in coaching may contact Guillermo Chacon, recreation leader for sports, at 352-393-8527 or chacongm@cityofgainesville.org.