KBIA

Group Searches for Paquin Rec Funding COLUMBIA, MO (KBIA) - A group of Columbia community activists are joining together to look at ways to preserve the Paquin Recreation Program. KBIA's Sara Wittmeyer reports:


The city has traditionally provided about $88,000 to fully fund the program. But after 35-years, the city had to scale back and this year it's providing Paquin a little more than $70,000. The newly formed committee is looking at ways to make up the difference which is somewhere between $14,000-$18,000. Sean Spence is the chair of the committee. He says in addition to fundraising the group will also work with council to make sure there are not additional funding cuts.

"Next year the committee may need to find $15 it may need to find $80 - we just don't know what the council is going to decide to do all we know is they've made the cut once and the indication is they could easily cut more in the future."

The recreation programs at Paquin are predominately educational or recreational programs that give disabled people in Columbia the opportunity to work together, learn thing, and get to know each other. Although the programs are hosted at Paquin they're open to all Columbia residents- not just those who live in Paquin Tower. © Copyright 2009, KBIA