Coaches are needed immediately for fall flag football and winter basketball because the Palisades Recreation Center is changing to a draft system. “All of our sports starting with this fall will be a draft,” Rec Center Director Eric Haas said. “The park will no longer accept requests for people wanting to be on a team with a friend or wanting a certain coach.” Haas has set up mandatory evaluations on September 6 for football and September 27 for basketball, and needs his coaches to be at those sessions. “Our center should be doing a draft,” he said. “This is the first center that I’ve worked at that they didn’t.” Haas also plans to change the basketball schedule. Even though the season starts January 3, he is already taking applications. Haas plans to have teams practice for 10 weeks before the season begins. “It will allow more time for the teams to congeal,” he said. “Practices will be once a week. Hopefully that will up the competitive level.” Haas says it will be possible for youth to play both flag football and basketball, but that games would take preference over practices. All children participating in the park program must have a birth certificate on file. Those who registered this summer will not need to re-submit it. Two other changes will be enforced: the refund rule and the registration rule. Anyone registering after the cut-off date will automatically go on the waiting list. “I’m sticking to the dates,” Haas said. “People can register online, they don’t even have to come in.” He warned, however, that home registration will close several days earlier than the cut-off date so he can determine the number signed up. To register, log on to www.laparks.org/eregistration.htm and click on “GO STRAIGHT TO ONLINE REGISTRATION” in the second paragraph. Mike Dickerson stepped down as the Rec Center’s sports coordinator, although he will continue officiating. Karen Shirley became the new coordinator last month. Haas reminds visitors that the Rec Center has an excellent roller hockey instructor, Ethan Rill. “We really want boys and girls and beginners. It doesn’t matter about the skill level,” Haas said. “Rill has the patience. It’s a good program and I’d love to have kids take advantage of it.” Youth dodge ball on Fridays, which was free last year, will now cost $60 for the session, which runs from October through December from 7-10 p.m. The skate park is set up on the outdoor basketball court on Sundays from 12-4 p.m. and will cost $65 for the October to December session. “The reason I have to charge money is that it takes three staff members to move everything and set it up,” Haas said. “The fence around it is a rental, which I also have to pay for. Supposedly there were funds set aside, but they’re long gone. “It costs at least $140 per person to break even, but I’ve set it at $65,” Haas added. “It’s my last ditch effort to keep it open.” He wouldn’t mind seeing funds to put in a real skate park and is aware of neighbors’ concerns about noise. “It could be an inside skate park,” he said. The Rec Center is also going to bring back its preschool program on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There will be two sessions, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The sessions will be limited to the first 10 in each class and the cost for the October-December classes is $300. Toddler time will be Mondays from 10 to noon and targets 2- and 3-year-olds. “It’s for kids who have a hard time separating from their parents,” Haas said. “This class will help prepare them for preschool.” The large gym is open Monday through Friday from 9-10 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to closing unless it is permitted out or on holidays.
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