LAKELAND, FL (May 15, 2012) - On Friday, May 18 at 11 a.m. the City of Lakeland will celebrate the grand opening of Cypress Youth Sports Complex located at 2125 S. Edgewood Drive.  This new $1.2 million sports complex located on 33 acres includes football and soccer fields for recreational leagues.  Currently there are restroom facilities and four fields that are in use with two additional fields expected to be ready in July.   

  LAKELAND, FL (May 14, 2012) -- The nation's top water safety and training organizations are joining forces to present The World's Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL) Thursday, June 14, 2012 to build awareness about the vital importance of teaching children to swim to help prevent drowning. On June 14^th water parks, pools and other aquatic facilities around the globe will host local WLSL lessons simultaneously at 11 a.m. in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record. City of Lakeland’s Aquatics staff will assist in the world record attempt during a swim lesson at Simpson Pool located at 1725 Martin Luther King Ave. 

LAKELAND, FL ( May 14, 2012) -- Beginning Tuesday, May 29, 2012 the City of Lakeland Public Works Department will be closing a portion of Lake Hollingsworth Drive to replace a failed storm pipe at the intersection of Fairhaven Drive. Lake Hollingsworth Drive will be closed from Cleveland Heights Boulevard to Crystal Lake Drive for two days. Residents will have access to their property at all times and detours will be clearly marked. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes when possible. 

City personnel will be on-site to assist with any concerns.  Please call Matt Glenn at 863-834-3300 with questions or call 863-834-3300 for recorded updates. 

On Friday, May 4, 2012, Lakeland Electric and City of Lakeland employees will gain access to the knowledge and experience of world-renowned leaders by attending Chick-fil-A Leadercast.

Lakeland, FL — The week of April 22 - 28, 2012, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, is a time to honor crime victims and our nation’s progress in advancing their rights. This year’s theme—Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim—celebrates the vision behind that progress and the ideal of serving all victims of crime.

Classical guitarist Robert Phillips will perform at the Lakeland Public Library (100 Lake Morton Drive) on Sunday, May 6^th at 2 pm.

The City of Lakeland’s Public Works Department will be celebrating the American Public Works Association national Public Works Week (NPWW) from 6:00pm until 9:00pm on Friday, May 4, 2012, along with Downtown Lakeland’s First Friday event. During this event shops and restaurants will stay open with music and entertainment along the streets including a classic car show.

The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency and Platform Art will unveil a ceramic art tile installation on the Orange Street Bridge and a new community garden at 7 p.m. as part of the April 28^th Platform Art Party 19 event.

The Lakeland Police Department gave a presentation that included updates on current crime statistics, crime prevention programs and the Chief's Challenge initiative of establishing a goal of reducing crime by 30% over the next two years.

At the City Commission meeting held April 16th Proclamations were presented commemorating:

Boys & Girls Club Week Lakeland Derby Day Law Day National crime Victim’s Rights Week National Landscape Architecture Month National Music Week Occupational health Nurses Week Parental Alienation Awareness Day. A lease agreement with Legal Airways for hanger expansion at the airport was approved.

A request dock located at 1250 West Lake Parker Drive.

A discussion of the Firefighter’s Retirement System was postponed to the April 21st meeting and The item on the Police Retirement System was postponed to the meeting on the 7th.

A daycare center at 1030 Olive St. was approved.

A request for conditional use...