The City Council introduced a bill at its last meeting that will continue funding for an activities program run out of Paquin Towers.
The Adapted Community Recreation Program mainly provides activities for disabled and elderly residents of Paquin Towers, but is also open to the entire community.
Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Columbia, Mike Griggs, said they have people in the program ranging from high school age to retired people. “It serves a need that Columbia has of including people of all physical and mental ability in our programs.” He said a main goal of the program is to make all of the same programs available to those who are restricted in their ability to get around.
Adapted Community Recreation has seen a lot of growth since it began in 2005, according to Recreation Specialist for the program Sarah Bowman. “We’re getting a lot more community members into the program to utilize it. We’re getting a lot younger crowd coming in and doing art stuff," said Bowman. "We get tons of volunteers from MU and other places. And so it’s just nice to see it take off and really start growing.” Bowman said she has seen the most growth in participants in the past 2 years.
The bill that was read at the June 15 City Council meeting proposed continuing the $16,000 allocation, and with volunteer support they will expand the program to evenings and weekends, as well as adding new activities and events. Boone County Family Resources and the City of Columbia provide this funding.
The City Council will read the bill for consent at their next meeting on July 6.
