Rock Island Today

After being forced to scale back operations because of COVID-19, the Rock Island Parks and Recreation Department is starting to reopen its facilities just in time for the summer season, even with a special drive-in movie event being scheduled.  

The Rock Island department said on the municipal website on May 21 that as Illinois enters Phase 3 of reopening, "the Department will begin modified programming for groups up to 10 people."

The move comes after the recreation department had previously said it had lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue after being forced to stop services because of concerns about the coronavirus. 

Rock Island Parks and Recreation Department Director John Gripp told WQAD in late April that the public service is losing approximately two-thirds of its typical revenue with the closure. With less revenue, future projects could be potentially canceled, Gripp added. 

During the months of inactivity, the department offered online services via Zoom calls, which may prove beneficial in the longterm. "It's opened a lot of doors we want to continue to explore even after all of this," Gripp told WQAD in late April. 

Some of the online services offered included charging $35 for two 30-minute sessions with their trainers, WQAD reported. 

With the state in reopening mode, the restrictions that have sidelined much of the recreation department's programs in the last two months are being lifted. 

The department opened registration on May 26 for several programs, according to the municipal website. Some of the initial programs available are mini youth sports skills outdoor camps, outdoor fitness classes, golf lessons, virtual concerts and a free drive-in movie currently set for June 13, among other activities. 

The department's full slate of programs are not yet available.

"Unfortunately, shelter rentals, community events, fitness centers and aquatic centers are not currently allowed to open in Phase 3," department leaders said on the municipal website.