Lawrence city commissioners voted 3-1 to keep the recreational facilities at the Community Building fee-free for the remainder of 2026. The decision means the downtown Lawrence site at 115 W. 11th St. will continue offering free access rather than restricting entry to people enrolled in programming or paying to rent the building.
The action follows a shift earlier in the year: fees for recreation center access began at the start of 2026 as part of plans to eliminate part of a multimillion-dollar budget deficit. Commissioners previously approved a three-month trial that allowed free access, and they later extended that approach through June. On Tuesday, they agreed they could cover the estimated cost of $39,000 using the city’s fund balance.
Interim Parks, Recreation and Culture Director Lindsay Hart said the building logged 6,830 visits from January through May 25—more than double the roughly 3,100 visits during the same period last year—though she noted the entry data may be skewed because staff were not as diligent about card swipes in prior years. Mayor Brad Finkeldei, Vice Mayor Mike Courtney, and Commissioner Amber Sellers supported the fee-free extension; Commissioner Mike Dever voted against it.
For next year, commissioners want an option to keep the Community Building fee-free in the city manager’s proposed budget, estimated at $69,000. Meanwhile, Sports Pavilion Lawrence and the Holcom Park and East Lawrence rec centers continue to charge access fees.
Lawrence keeps Community Building recreation fees off for the rest of 2026
