More hours for Long Beach rec center

Long Beach Recreation Center members who work long hours or commute into New York City will now have an easier time fitting in an early morning workout.

The Parks and Recreation Department announced this week that the center’s indoor swimming pool and cardio and weight rooms will now open at 6 a.m. on weekdays and remain open weeknights now until 9:30 p.m. The center, at Magnolia Boulevard and West Bay Drive, will also now open at 7:30 a.m. on weekends.

City Manager Jack Schnirman added that the center’s extended hours won’t cost the city additional money in staffing. Instead of hiring more people to work, the parks and recreation department plans to reschedule current employees to work the new hours.
“We’re finding cost savings even while opening things up for our residents and offering enhanced services at no additional cost,” Schnirman said.

The changes at the center were implemented by new parks department Commissioner Bob Piazza, who was appointed early last week. Schnirman said Piazza, a lifelong Long Beach resident, has “made significant improvements already” to the department.