The City of Covington and the Covington Independent Public Schools district will partner to expand the number of recreational activities available to the city’s children.
This goal was featured prominently among candidate platforms, including the mayor’s, during the most recent election cycle.
“I grew up playing baseball at Athey Avenue and Craig Streets, shooting free throws at Goebel Park and eating summer lunch at the 3rd District School,” said Mayor Ron Washington in a city press release. “I’ve seen firsthand how powerful youth recreation and support programs can be—not just for kids, but for the community as a whole. They build confidence, connection and a sense of belonging.”
To that end, the city commission established a youth recreation committee as a walk-on agenda item at Tuesday’s commission meeting. The committee will consist of 15 members picked jointly by the Covington Board of Commissioners and the Covington Independent Board of Education.
Covington Commissioners Shannon Smith and Tim Acri and Board of Education Member Kareem Simpson will serve as co-chairs. Staff members from the city and the district will serve in non-voting advisory roles, as well.
The committee will perform the following functions:
- Inventory the currently available recreational activities in Covington
- Identify ways to expand access and share facilities for after-school and summer recreation
- Identify service gaps and challenges to local kids and families that prevent them from participating in recreational activities
- Engage with the community to see what people would like from their recreation programs
“Sports and recreation opportunities have played a large role in my life,” said Covington Board of Education Chair Tom Haggard in the same release. “I’m optimistic this partnership between the City of Covington and Covington Independent Public Schools will ensure our young people continue to have those same opportunities to learn and grow. ”