Agency Summary

I am participating in an internship this summer with Provo Parks and Recreation at The Center. This report will provide a summery of this agency. I will include three major sections: a background of the agency (their mission, programs, clientele, and facilities), the personnel of the agency (organizational charts, responsibilities, and management culture), and the financial structure of the agency.

BACKGROUND:

First, I will provide information on the background of The Center, Provo Parks and Recreation.

The Center - The Center opened in 2001 and has been growing ever since. It is located at 500 N. Freedom Blvd in Provo. The mission of The Center is to provide the youth, the teens and the community of Provo with a positive environment that encourages social, recreational and educational growth.

The Center used to be a Army National Guard Armory. Now its renovated and painted to be a bit more inviting. The Center offers a place for youth to come after school. The Center has basketball courts, pool tables, a dance room, an art room, a weight lifting room, a skate park, and many organized child, teen, and adult activities and classes to chose from.

The Center encourages all of its patrons to comply with their code of conduct. This code of conduct is based around six core principles: Respect for self, others, and the facility; Trustworthiness, Responsibility, Caring, Fairness and Good Citizenship.

Internship Information:

In this work of recreation program planning and organizing, the individual appointed to this position will be required to plan, organize, and supervise special events for the city of Provo. Some examples of these types of activities are parades, concerts, and holiday events. Individuals in this position also need to learn how to prepare advertising to promote the event or program, work within a budget, and prepare and maintain reports and records.

Event preparation involves reviewing, making a master plan, and brainstorming, as well as physical preparation. Reviewing means to start planning far in advance and reading previous event evaluations. Making a master plan helps organize the event planning and makes the execution of the event more smooth and successful. Brainstorming involves doing research and coming up with new ideas for games, crafts, and activities. Physical preparation means going shopping, gathering supplies, and creating decorations.

Other Programs/Facilities:

Within the Special Events branch of the Provo Parks and Recreation agency there are several parts:

Peaks Ice Arena - This ice skating rink is located in Provo. The Peaks Ice Arena has skating, futsal, and hockey programs to suit any skater or athlete. The Peaks Ice Arena had the privilege of being a 2002 Olympic venue with two world class Olympic size ice rinks and two indoor futsal courts.

This arena offers several activities which include public skating, birthday parties, private rentals, broom ball, learning to skate, figure skating, futsal, and ice hockey. The Peaks Ice Arena is home to the Peaks Figure Skating Club, several Utah County High School teams, the Utah Valley University hockey club, and the Brigham Young University hockey club.

Eldred Center - All members of the community 55 years and older are invited to meet with friends at the Eldred Senior Center to enjoy socially enriching experiences, intellectual stimulation, physical fitness programs, educational opportunities, artistic fulfillment, a daily nutrition program, health screening clinic, short tours, billiard games, shuffleboard, library, television, assistance programs, and varied information and referral services.

Membership in the Eldred Senior Center is open to all men and women 55 years of age and older without restriction as to race, religion, creed, sex, national origin, political belief, or income. Members receive a discount on most classes and tours.

The Covey Center for the Arts - The Covey Center for the Arts is named for Sandra Merrill Covey. In 2007, the Covey Center for the Arts opened its doors with the goal to educate, enrich, endow and entertain. The Covey Center’s 670-seat performance hall hosts the Mayor’s Series for the Performing Arts, which has presented performers ranging from Kenny Loggins and George Winston to events like Bye Bye Birdie and Thriller.

The Brinton Black Box Theater seats 60, and is home to a series of plays and musicals. In addition to these performing spaces, the Covey Center also houses an art gallery, with exhibits that rotate monthly, and three dance studios. Most of these spaces are available for rent, and are much in demand by local performing groups.

Provo Recreation Center and The Veterans Pool - Because of the Provo Rec Center and the Veterans Pool, there are a variety of aquatic activities for people of all ages to enjoy year round. The Provo Recreation Center Pool is an indoor year round pool and the Veterans Memorial Pool is an outdoor seasonal pool.

Swimming under the supervision of certified lifeguards is a safe and healthy activity that provides many fitness benefits and an enjoyable recreational experience. Aquatic activities include lap swimming, recreational swimming and diving, deep and shallow water aerobics, swimming and diving lessons for ages from 6 months to adults.

PERSONNEL:

Second, I will report on the personnel of this agency.


John Curtis - Provo City Mayor - Mayor Curtis is ultimately in charge of everything that goes on within the city. He is the only elected official in this chain of command.

Roger Thomas - Parks and Recreation Director

Scott Henderson - Assistant Recreation Director

Brian Smith - Recreation Supervisor- Brian is over the Center and its day to day activities to include classes, day camps, youth activities, and the management of these. Financial decisions are made by Brian in order stay within the allowed budget, which as of late has been a challenge.

Whitney Booth - Recreation Coordinator - Whitney is the assistant to the supervisor, she is in charge of the events that Provo city puts on. She is in charge of recreation leaders and interns. She works closely with her supervisor when planning events making sure budgets are accounted for risk management is assessed.

Eric Layland - Recreation Leader - Directly above all interns and volunteers involved with events going on throughout the city. In charge of planning events, coming up with ideas, and creating new activities for events

Melanie Anderson - Recreation Leader - Directly above all interns and volunteers involved with events going on throughout the city. In charge of planning events, coming up with ideas, and creating new activities for events

FINANCIAL STRUCTURE:

Finally, I will report on the financial structure of the agency. Unfortunately, I was unable to gain access to their budget information that they received from city tax payers. However, I do know that they charged admission for two events per year. Those events were the haunted house in October and First Night in December. All of their other activities were free admission. The Center does charge for membership, but this funding does not have an affect on event production, it goes to the city.