The city of Sparks continued to chop expenses Thursday by announcing reduced hours of operation at several city parks facilities effective Sept. 29.

Starting on that date, the Larry Johnson and Alf Sorensen community centers will be closed on Fridays, as will the city’s Recreation Office at 98 Richards Way and the Special Events Office at 831 Victorian Ave.

“With the downturn in the economy and loss of tax revenues, we have had to look at a number of options that reduce the scope of services we have historically provided to the community,” city manager Shaun Carey said. “In determining closures, we picked times of lowest attendance and the least amount of programming.”

This round of cuts follows several rounds of layoffs this year in the city’s Planning Department. On March 31, eight employees were laid off from the department, followed by 13 more on Aug. 22. The total savings to the city from the cuts amount to $2.3 million.

City spokesman Adam Mayberry said some programs will see no interruptions while others will. The adapted aquatics program and the swim program for children offered at Alf Sorensen will see no changes, but the Friday acquacise classes will be cancelled, he said. Students who are enrolled in a three-day-a-week class including Fridays will have the option of switching to a different third day. Also, lap swim time will decrease from 51 hours a week to 42, while the recreational swim time will only lose one hour of operation.

Mayberry also said the Piranhas Swim Team and Washoe County district swim teams and some visual arts camps will be affected.

The Parks and Recreation Department will be implementing an alternative work schedule starting Sept. 29, which the city estimates will save close to $80,000 annually. Fifteen of the department’s 38 employees will switch to four 10-hour days, resulting in a change in the hours of operation, including Friday closures, at the following facilities:

Recreation Office, 98 Richards Way

7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Monday through Thursday. Closed Friday

Larry D. Johnson Community Center, 1200 12th St. — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Monday through Thursday; 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Friday (Teen Club only); Saturday and Sunday - rentals welcome.

Alf Sorensen Community Center, 1400 Baring Blvd. — 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Monday and Wednesday; 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Tuesday and Thursday; closed Friday

12 noon to 6 p.m. - Saturday (includes birthday party rentals); closed Sunday.

Special Events Office, 831 Victorian Avenue

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Monday through Thursday; closed Friday

Youth Watch programs for children kindergarten through sixth grade will continue to operate Monday through Friday at their respective sites.

To assist with residents’ registration needs, the Recreation Office will offer extended hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Registration and information also may be accessed any time online at www.sparksrec.com. Residents can register for most Sparks Parks and Recreation programs via the Web site, and automated registration is available for those who do not have computer access. For registration details, call 353-2376.