Ark Valley News - Valley Center closes city facilities

Public spaces inside all of the City of Valley Center's facilities are closed because of the increase in coronavirus cases. Each department can be reached by phone or online.

Valley Center closes city facilities
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: November 19, 2020

With an increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Sedgwick County, the City of Valley Center closed public spaces inside all of its facilities Nov. 13, a move reminiscent of the city's response in the spring.

Parks and playground equipment remained open.

The city said the closings are temporary, but will remain in effective until further notice.

"These closures are to protect the most vulnerable members of our community and preserve access to key backup facilities in the case of an emergency shelter need," Mayor Lou Cicirello said in a news release. "We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause and hope these closures are temporary."

City officials said the closure affects the lobbies at City Hall, Public Works and Public Safety.

Residents can use the drive-up window at City Hall.

The Community Center and Library lobby also is closed. The library is providing materials by drive-through. The senior center is handing out Tuesday and Thursday lunches in a similar way.

While Valley Center went to a shutdown, other cities across north Sedgwick County have so far handled the increase differently.

Kechi City Hall remained open by appointment only, while Park City and Bel Aire city buildings were open to the public.

Since the pandemic began, there have been a total of 306 confirmed cases in the 67147 zip code; 941 in 67204 (north Wichita); 424 in 67219 (Park City); 57 in 67067 (Kechi); 503 in 67220 (Bel Aire and northeast Wichita); and 698 in 67226 (Bel Aire and northeast Wichita).

Meanwhile, the Valley Center school district reported an increase, from 22 to 28, in the number of students and staff diagnosed with COVID-19. The number at home because of COVID-related illness or exposure increased from 211 to 237.

In a message on social media this week, the district said the gating task force, which has been advising Superintendent Cory Gibson, was planning to meet Nov. 18 to review the situation and likely make a recommendation about next week's attendance. The district is scheduled to start Thanksgiving break on Nov. 25.

The task force regularly meets on Mondays.

"Our goal is to provide as much notice as possible regarding any changes that may be necessary," Gibson said on social media.

Elementary schools remained in person this week, while the middle school was hybrid and high school was remote.

Gibson said as of Nov. 17 two schools had about 15 percent of students and staff unable to attend in person because of COVID-related situations.

"We anticipate that number will continue to rise due to the spread of the virus throughout the communities we serve," Gibson said. "All operational aspects of our district are being impacted due to staff shortages."