A Memphis community center
In an effort to increase opportunities for youth in the city, Memphis’ community centers will have extended hours, the city announced Thursday.
The city’s Division of Parks and Neighborhoods’ 24 community centers will be open for a combined additional 280 hours each week.
Director of Parks and Neighborhoods Maria Munoz-Blanco said the additional operating hours are cost neutral and in line with the mayor’s priorities for the city’s youth.
“Identifying efficiencies in our operations has enabled the increase in community centers’ operating hours without additional funds, improving the services that the Parks Division provides to our community,” Munoz-Blanco said.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said two of his highest priorities are expanding opportunities for Memphis’ youth population and enriching neighborhoods.
“Whether it be with extended library hours, more programming in our communities centers, and now these longer community center hours, our administration continues to show we’re reinvesting in our young people and our neighborhoods,” Strickland said. “I’m proud of the work Maria and her staff have done not only to provide these opportunities, but to do it in a way that’s responsible to taxpayers.”
On weekdays, the centers will be now be open until 8:00 p.m. and until 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, enabling the launch of a youth flag football league.
