REC CENTER CLOSURES:
The list of rec centers proposed to be closed has been released. (Dispatch article with the full list here.) While it is good news that Carriage Place Rec Center is not on the list, it could still be a good idea to voice your support for Carriage Place. The first of two meetings will be held tonight at 5:30 PM at City Council Chambers. Note that these meetings are about all items on the budget, not just the Rec Centers.
City Council is located at 90 W. Broad Street in downtown Columbus. (Directions and map here.) Parking for bikes is available at the entrance to the building and free parking for cars is available after 5 PM in the city hall surface lot at Front/Gay Streets. ”You must fill out speaker slips in person by coming to City Hall between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting you wish to speak.” (More information about speaker slips here.) Below is the official press release about the rec center closures. The next public comment meeting after today will be Dec. 16th. Stay tuned!
Following the announcement that 11 Recreation Centers have been proposed to be closed and one will be facing a reduction in hours, Recreation and Parks Committee chair Councilmember Priscilla R. Tyson is pledging to work with her Council colleagues to explore opportunities to keep open as many centers as possible.
“This gets down to a quality of life issue for our residents,” said Tyson. “Recreation Centers are at the core of providing safe, affordable places for our families to enjoy themselves. They are places where children gain self-confidence and adults can learn a new skill. Many have been open for generations and are vital parts of Columbus neighborhoods.”
Tyson stresses that today’s announcement is but one step in the budget process and that no final decision on Recreation Center proposed cuts will be made until mid-February, when Councilmembers are expected to pass the 2009 Budget. City Council has initiated a series of public hearings when residents can comment on the budget proposals. The next public comment meetings will be held Tuesday, December 9 and 16 at 5:30 PM in City Council Chambers.
