HUNTSVILLE – The days of lining up for hours to register for recreational programs may soon be over in Huntsville.
Kari Lambe, executive director of community services and economic development with the Town of Huntsville, said staff is preparing to roll out online registration for recreational programs in March.
“We have a lot of community members who are spread out and the availability of online for some of them will be more convenient than coming to line up on, say, an aquatic registration day, when some people line up at 6:30 a.m.,” said Lambe. “From our perspective, we’re doing it from a customer service standpoint.”
But those looking to use the online registration option to sign up for programs will need to create an online profile through the town’s website, first.
“If you don’t have a profile, you can’t register online. And it takes 24 hours to set up your profile because it has to be approved from our end,” said Lambe.
People will be able to create profiles through the town’s website starting March 1, which is the same time the town will unveil its spring and summer leisure and recreation programming guide.
“You go in, you set up your profile, we get confirmation that you set it up and then we go in and make sure all the information is there. Then you get a PIN number that allows you to register when registration opens,” said Lambe.
She noted, however, that programs will not open for online registration until mid-March when aquatic program registration begins.
“People will have a few weeks to go in and get their profile set up before any registration truly opens up,” she added.
An option to check facility rental availability will be included in the new online offerings, though those interested in actually renting a town-owned facility will still need to contact a staff member.
The town will start a marketing blitz in February around the new online program registration option.
In-person registration will continue to be available. And items such as pool memberships and skating passes will need to be purchased in-person, as in the past.