You’re absolutely right — Lopez already has incredible recreation and enrichment opportunities, thanks to organizations like LIFRC, LIEF, the Library and more. That’s exactly why Lopez Rec is so important.

Right now, many of these programs are at risk because they rely on short-term or unpredictable grant funding. Lopez Rec will guarantee steady, local support so these opportunities can continue and grow — not replace them.

We’ve met with each of these organizations individually to ensure Lopez Rec strengthens, rather than duplicates, what already works.

For example, some Library programs are actually funded through the same LIFRC grant that is set to expire. At LIFRC’s request, Lopez Rec will continue to offer after-school and summer programming for our working families when grant funding disappears, creating continuity and stability.

LIEF is currently working to round up donations to address the school’s budget shortfall of $300,000 for this year alone. Donations are a short term lifeline, but not a long term solution.

Lopez Rec is the only sustainable and significant solution to address the funding gap created by the state legislature, ensuring six years of secure funding.