Mayor Tom Perciak has announced that Strongsville’s success in recruiting major new businesses to town will allow the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center to expand its hours, including reopening on Sundays.
Starting Dec. 4, 2022, the Rec Center will be open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays (an additional two hours per day), will extend Saturday hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will reopen on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Perciak credited the city’s economic development team, which has brought in new companies like
Schaeffler Group USA, a distributor of auto parts that will bring 100 new jobs to Strongsville, with generating enough new tax revenue to pay for the extended rec center hours.
“The efforts of our excellent economic development team will allow us to expand our Recreation Center hours without raising taxes or increasing membership fees,” Perciak said.
Earlier this month, the Parks and Recreation Department surveyed residents about Rec Center operations and a possible return to the pre-pandemic schedule, which included Sunday hours. Both Rec Center members and non-members responded with a desire to see longer open hours and the ability to use the workout equipment, track, gym and aquatic center on Sundays.
Strongsville’s focus on economic development is headed by Perciak and Economic Development Director Brent Painter, with assistance from City Council liaison Gordon Short, the Ward 4 representative. The city’s four thriving business parks are home to more than 150 businesses.