4A The Sun Newspapers Jan. 14, 2009 lenexa’s portable ice rink opens in different location JessicA MArshAll Managing Editor www.sunpublications.com Lenexa’s portable ice rink has moved to a new location, and depending on the weather, Parks and Recreation officials expected to open the rink over the weekend for skaters and broomball players. This season, the rink is at the Bois D’Arc Park tennis courts at 88th Street and Lackman Road. In previous years the rink had been located at Indian Trails Park. “It was on a grassy area near a ball field and created a muddy situation,” Logan Wagler, park superintendent, said. The new location offers a safer and improved skating surface, and more level surrounding area. Park staff installed the 60-by-80-foot rink Thursday and began filling it Friday, Wagler said, using a fire hydrant. The process takes about three hours. Wagler said the rink needs “a couple solid days of cold temperatures” to freeze properly. “We cross our fingers and hope for it to freeze. It’s not cooled or refrigerated, we just have to wait for the temperature to be cor- rect,” Wagler said. “Once the water freezes and it’s solid enough, we open it up. It’s pretty weather dependent. We check it first. We visually check it and we can drill into it if we feel that’s necessary to be sure.” Once the rink is safe to skate on, it opens to the public, free of charge. A sign posted at the rink will show whether it is open. Guests must bring their own skates and should be aware that no supervision is provided. Wagler said the rink usually opens earlier in the season, but the weather and ordering a new liner caused brief delays. “We’ve been hustling to get it done,” he said. “It’ll be up for a while, and then it usually comes down by the end of February, early March because the weather starts to warm up again. “It’s very popular. The only problem is the weather cooperating.” The Rose Family donated the rink to the city about four years ago in memory of Lenexa Historical Society founding member Bob Rose’s love of skating. For more information, contact Lenexa Parks and Recreation Department at 5410209. BeN MccAll/sUN PhOTOs OPCares on city Web site lets residents file, track service requests online Those filing new requests will have 38 categories to choose from, including such Staff writEr options as property maintenance, restauOverland Park officials are making it rants, tall grass and weeds, street lights, and easier for people to complain. noise. If none of the specific alternatives fits A new service called OPCares was added your interest, just click “other.” to the city’s Web site on Monday. The service “OPCares allows anyone to electronically allows individuals, businesses or visitors to file a concern at their convenience,” said file a concern or make a service request and Vicki Irey, director of information technolthen track the progress of the inquiry online. ogy for the city. “Our intent is to improve To use the service, go to the opcustomer service through OPCares kansas.org, and click the OPCares and provide an opportunity for anylink in the upper right-hand corner one submitting a concern to track its of the site’s homepage. Or, just go to progress.” www.opkansas.org/opcares. The site’s Asked if she thought the conveopening page gives the visitor choices nience of the link could result in a of either filing a service request or flood of new service requests, Irey retrieving information on a pending said, “That’s the hope.” inquiry. But she did not express concern City Manager John Nachbar that there would be more inquiries John Nachbar City Manager sought to implement the service to than staff could accommodate. give residents a method of contact “Right now there’s not a fear of with the city that fits the times. that. Each department head will “We wanted to make it as convenient as gauge the workload as it comes in,” she said. possible for citizens to communicate their The city anticipates most concerns can problems and concerns. Especially since we be addressed within one business day. Othare all interacting with different institutions ers, such as those related to property codes, now via the digital world, we wanted to stay might take three business days. on the cutting edge,” Nachbar said. Those wanting to track the progress will The idea for the Web site service was not be asked for some personal information, and borrowed from another city, and Nachbar tracking will not be possible unless an e-mail does not know if other communities have address is provided to the city. such a site. The software and consulting fees associ“We didn’t look to other cities for inspiraated with creating the service cost the city tion. It really was just something we talked $100,000. about ourselves,” Nachbar said. When asked how much use the service Contact Loren Stanton at 385-6068, or will draw, Nachbar said, “I suppose it will be e-mail lorenstanton@npgco.com. Comment significant.” on this story at www.sunpublications.com. Tai Chi instructor Debbie Shearer, Olathe, teaches a class for the Johnson County 50 Plus Program geared to people with arthritis Jan. 5, at Asbury Methodist Church, 5400 W. 75th St, Prairie Village. lOreN sTANTON in an efforT to increase strength and flexibility, earline Boutell, Leawood, takes tai chi at Asbury Methodist Church. • 12 Months • • No Payment • • No Interest • • Competitive Pricing • • Personal Service • • Free In-Home • Consultation Ask about the new Pirouette® Window Shadings by Hunter Douglas 90 DAYS SAME AS CASH Rebates up to $200 on selected Hunter Douglas products Blinds, Shades and Shutters Call for a FREE In-Home Appointment BeN MccAll/sUN PhOTO www.wedowindowskc.com 913-631-2323 raCing in the Men’s 3/4 category, Craig harding, Lee’s Summit, runs up a slippery bank Sunday during the fourth annual Grote Prij Shawnee Cyclocross Race in Herman Laird Park, Shawnee. previous page next page