CRC: Quebec Heights not suitable for rec center

The former Quebec Heights School is not suitable for use as a new Price Hill Recreation Center, according to a report from Cincinnati City Manager Milton Dohoney Jr.

The report was in response to a letter from neighborhood resident William Bailey suggesting that the recreation center be moved to the 63,000-square-foot school building at 1655 Ross Avenue (BIRD'S EYE), which Cincinnati Public Schools has announced they will vacate.

"School buildings are not designed for community recreation purposes and generally would require extensive remodeling and/or renovation to meet modern recreation center standards," Dohoney writes.

Bailey said that the current recreation center at 959 Hawthorne Avenue, which is only 18,000 square feet, is too small to meet the community's needs, noting that the community council doesn't even meet there.

He added that the property is perfect for any expansion needs and would also provide aid to West Price Hill, the Cincinnati Recreation Commission Dunham operations and the South Fairmount Community Center.

"The current Price Hill Recreation Center is well situated to serve the varied needs of the Price Hill community and allows staff easy access to the community's adjacent deep water swimming pool and baseball fields," Dohoney writes.

Bailey also recommended rehabilitating the former recreation center for use by the Cincinnati Police Department's District Three, leaving the former Whittier School site (BIRD'S EYE) as park space.

The East Price Hill Improvement Association has come out in favor of creating a new, state-of-the-art District Three police station either onto the Whittier site or upon property at the CMHA Seminary Ridge site at 1040 Considine Avenue (BIRD'S EYE).

Dohoney did not address the proposed District Three expansion in the report.

Previous reading on BC:
EPH resident proposed swaps involving Whittier, Quebec Heights sites (4/24/08)
City will not help purchase Whittier site (11/21/07)
East Price Hill wants Whittier, new police station (10/18/07)