Cookeville Leisure Services Suspends Activities

The Cookeville Department of Leisure Services announced Tuesday that they are closing several facilities and cancelling activities for the immediate future.

Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said the decision to close was made with input from many members of the community.

“We consulted with the city manager and health officials in the community, including the Cookeville Regional Medical Center and the local health department,” Woods said. “Based on those recommendations, we determined that the best approach would be to close facilities for a period of time to do our part in trying to keep the virus away and keep people healthy.”

The list of facilities closed include Dogwood Park’s Heart of the City Playground, Cookeville Performing Arts Center, Cane Creek Recreation Center, Cane Creek Gymnasium, Cane Creek SportsPlex, Cookeville History Museum, and Cookeville Depot Museum.

Activities that have been cancelled include all fitness classes, School of Dance, Cookeville Depot Museum’s Train Tales, and Spring Break Recreational Day Camp.

Woods said despite the closures and cancellations, all city parks will remain open, and he encouraged people to take advantage of the chance to get outside.

“We want people to be outside and in fresh air as much as possible,” Woods said. “If they are healthy and are able to get out we would encourage people to get out and when we get sunshine, soak in some sunshine.”

In addition, shelter reservations at Cane Creek Park have been suspended through May 1. Those who already hold reservations during the closures may keep their reservation.

Wood said the department would continue to listen to health officials in order to determine when to reopen the facilities but could not give a definitive date when that may happen.