By LESLIE COLLINS
Northeast News
November 12, 2012 

Area residents will now be able to use select Kansas City, Mo., community centers for free on Fridays in November and December from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Heidi Downer of the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department said the idea stemmed from the National Recreation and Parks Association Conference that the director of community services attended.

Both residents of Kansas City and non residents are welcome to participate in the Healthy Hour Fridays program, she said.

Two of the centers have indoor swimming pools and all of the centers have a variety of fitness equipment including stair steppers, ellipticals, treadmills, free weights, weight machines and more. In addition, the centers also feature gymnasiums and indoor walking tracks.

“We’re hoping that they become acquainted with our facilities and amenities that are offered in our community centers as well as establish a healthy routine on Friday evenings,” Downer said.

Community centers participating in the Healthy Hour Fridays program include:

Gregg Klice Community Center, 1600 John “Buck” O’Neil Way

Southeast Community Center, 4201 E. 63rd St.

Tony Aguirre Community Center, 2050 W. Pennway 

Kansas City North Community Center, 3930 N.E. Antioch Road 

Brush Creek Community Center, 3801 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd. 

Westport Roanoke Community Center, 3601 Roanoke Road

The community centers will not be open the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 23.