By Amy Duncan of MyGreenLake.com,
The 2011 City of Seattle budget was hard on the Department of Parks and Recreation. Several community centers were hit with cuts, including the Queen Anne Community Center.
As a result, Parks and Recreation has been asked by the City Council to re-think how community centers operate. This process will include public meetings to discuss with the community ideas for how centers can be run differently. The first public meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011 at Miller Community Center (330 19th Ave E), from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
“Seattle Parks and Recreation operates 26 community centers,” reads a press release from Parks about the community meeting. ”The cost to run the centers far exceeds revenue brought in from center programs. Because of the current difficult budget situation, the department is exploring alternatives that would offer continued services for the public, while reducing costs. New methods of management, staffing, fundraising and partnerships will be explored.”
At the Feb. 2 meeting, Parks staff will ask attendees to share ideas and concerns regarding community center operations. In the spring, an additional public meeting will be held to discuss specific options.