04/24/2026
I have sent the message below to my Council At Large representatives (Gee, Cizl, and Kovach). As Rosa Gee Sheffield Lake Council at large mentioned on her page, it’s *CRITICAL* that residents make their opinions known on these matters outside of social media (e.g. via email, phone calls, council meetings). If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your opinion with your ward representative, the three I sent my email to represent the whole city so they are also good options that can represent you. Here’s my email:
“Good Afternoon,
I wanted to let you know that I SUPPORT the Rec Center/Field House project. I think that it would be a really great addition to the city. Not only would it provide opportunities for those in the city, but it would also increase traffic through our city.
I am a big fan of the athletic and fitness opportunities for people of all ages - but I’m also really liking the additional programming opportunities the space would provide. The Community Center is an asset to the community, to be sure, but there are certain events and programs it’s not equipped to handle… I believe the rec center will be a perfect compliment that would provide opportunities for programming that may be more difficult with the Community Center.
In addition, I believe the amount the city has secured in grants ($1.3 million+, if I understand correctly… nearly half the cost of the project) makes this a no brainier.
My family would personally benefit from this. Currently our options for fitness are paying way too much for a family membership at the YMCA, or paying an affordable single-person membership at Planet Fitness, which is far enough away and non-kid friendly enough that it makes establishing a consistent fitness routine there quite challenging for busy families like mine. I believe the rec center will solve these issues and make a more physically fit lifestyle more possible.
Now - imagine an entire community where physical fitness is within reach, affordable, and flexible enough to get consistent use. That is truly an avenue for community transformation.
I ask that you vote to approve the rec center project.
Joseph Heckert
[include your address in your email so they know you’re a resident - I’ve omitted mine on this post, but included it in my email]”