Wyandotte County reduces community center hours after Labor Day

KANSAS CITY, Kansas (KCTV) – After Labor Day, there will be a significant change in Wyandotte County.

The government of Kansas City, Kansas, has announced that its six recreation and community centers will be closed on Sundays and Mondays. Other opening hours during the week will also change.

The buildings will be operated according to the following schedule:

• Sunday
• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday

The new opening hours apply from September 3rd.

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According to the district administration, the change is being made for several reasons.

The current budget allocates 22 employees in the Parks and Recreation Department to oversee all community centers, youth programs, adult programs, and other duties.

The parks department said employees who work in community centers are required to work a six-day week. The new hours mean employees will move to a five-day week, which will help with recruitment and retention, the county said.

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In addition, there are currently six vacancies that the district says it is having difficulty filling.

Officials said low wages, six-day workweeks and residency requirements were the main reasons people turned down the jobs.

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Additionally, staff have had to operate the centres alone, which also poses a safety risk for the county. The government said the changes would allow two staff members to be present at each site, increasing safety for everyone.

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