Welcome!

Carl Guarnieri Recreation Director

As we begin to prepare for nicer weather, our Recreation Department and Community Center are gearing up for our Spring and Summer programs and events.

Beginning May 1, we will be taking signups for our summer programs such as Tennis, Tot Baseball, ASK (special needs) baseball and tennis, summer bocce ball and other programs that you can find on this website.

Our always-popular Royal Ball events will be held April 21 (this event is sold out) and May 19. Tickets for the May event go on sale one month in advance, on April 19.

We will also continue our senior afternoon dances, along with our preteen DJ youth dances. All dates and times are listed on this web page.

The Playground will be equipped, inspected and ready for play by mid-April, and the soccer, baseball and softball programs will be up and running – a sure sign that summer is coming.

And speaking of summer, the outdoor pool opens June 1. Outdoor pool hours will be 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday thru Saturday, and 1 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

As a side note, I will be retiring on May 31 after 23 years as the Middleburg Hts. Recreation Director. Over those years, I have had the opportunity see our Recreation Department grow into a first class operation with a wide selection of award winning programs and events for people of all ages and abilities, along with some of the best facilities in the state, particularly our wonderful Community Center.

My replacement beginning June 1 will be Jeff Minch. Jeff is an outstanding administrator and will continue to grow and improve recreation services to Middleburg Heights.

My sincere thanks goes to Mayor Gary Starr, all the members of the City Councils I have had the privilege of working with over the years, my dedicated staff and to you, our residents for the support you have shown our recreation department.

Best wishes for a great spring season!

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide people of all ages and ability the opportunity to participate in active and passive, individual and team, competitive and non-competitive programs. Through our community recreational and leisure activities, we strive to:

1. Foster community spirit through friendship and teamwork.
2. Teach the fundamentals of fitness, exercise and sport.
3. Instill the concepts of pride, motivation and sportsmanship in all participants.

Our vision is to become a model for other recreation departments throughout Greater Cleveland and Ohio. We will do this by offering dynamic programs, using professionally certified instructors and providing progressive, state-of-the-art facilities, which will fully serve the needs of our citizens.

Our Award-Winning Facility

In August 2001 the Middleburg Heights Community Center was featured in USA Today as one example of upscale facilities that are redefining the concept of community recreation centers.

This came as no surprise to residents. After all, the center had already been named Most Outstanding New Center by the Ohio Parks & Recreation Association a few months after its May 2000 opening.

Today the center continues to provide the best in public recreation facilities. It includes:

The heated indoor pool features a pleasing free-form design with a lazy-current channel, bubble couch, vortex, hot tub/whirlpool spa, waterslide, and an area for lap swimming. A separate whirlpool, steam room and sauna are also available.

The heated outdoor pool includes a waterslide and a variety of other play features with areas no deeper than 3-1/2 ft. (perfect for little ones).

Our spacious fitness area has over 100 pieces of cardio, circuit training and free weight equipment. A four-lane, non-banked, 1/12 mile track offers a view of the pools, gymnasiums and casual activities area.

The casual activities area is a meeting place for everyone. With views to almost every activity area, it is the "hub" of the center. Features include a 60 ft. waterfall (which hides the elevator quite well), a grand staircase, and a skylight.

Award-Winning Excellence

Programming Awards

In addition to receiving the "Most Outstanding New Center" award in 2000, the Recreation Center also received awards from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association for program innovation for the following:

• Adaptive Sports for Kids (A.S.K.)
  A year round curriculum of sports and social activities for children with special needs
• Tot Sports for children 3 and 4 years old
• Bocce Ball leagues for children and adults

Professional Awards

In 2001, Recreation Director Carl Guarnieri was selected as the "Outstanding Professional" in Recreation in the State of Ohio by
the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.

Facility Awards

The Community Center has also won the following awards:

• The "Golden Trowel" from the Masonry Institute in recognition of the "Community Center's Masonry Design and Construction."
• The Builders Exchange presented the center with four awards for the following:
  
  • Skylights/Glass/Glazing and Curtain Walls
  • Masonry and Brick Walls
  • Stairs and Railing Systems
  • Specialty Flooring