A movement to determine Lawrence’s sports and recreational needs and how to satisfy them took another step forward Thursday.

An organization called Partners for Lawrence Athletics & Youth spent time brainstorming about the questions to be answered and information needed to improve local recreation opportunities for youngsters.

“We’ve worked very hard to get to this point,” said Bonnie Lowe, a Lawrence banker who initiated the effort a few months ago, and one of about 15 people who attended the meeting.

PLAY is working with the Lawrence school district, Chamber of Commerce and city officials on the project. The group wants to hire a consultant for a feasibility study of local recreational needs. Last month the city, school board, chamber and Douglas County commissioners allocated up to $63,000 to pay for the study.

Requests for proposals are now being prepared to be sent to firms that might conduct the study. The RFPs will be ready for approval by PLAY in a few weeks, said Fred DeVictor, city parks and recreation director.

One of the goals of the recreation study should be “to know what we have and to figure out what we want,” said Interim City Manager David Corliss.

Lowe and others formed PLAY late last year after becoming concerned about the gap in recreational outlets for youths that resulted when Sport 2 Sport, 5200 Clinton Parkway, closed.