In Response to Reduction of Independently-Funded Community Center Hours by the Non-profit Organization Associated Recreation Council, City of Seattle Will Fund Additional hours for Four Centers and Preserve Access to Drop-in Recreation Activities
Seattle (August 28, 2019) – Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and Seattle Parks and Recreation announced today that the City will fund additional hours at the Queen Anne, Magnolia, Ballard, and Loyal Heights Community Centers in 2019 and 2020 following the reduction of independently-funded hours at these locations by the non-profit organization Associated Recreation Council (ARC).
ARC announced that in 2019 they would be unable to continue funding hours and activities at the Queen Anne, Magnolia, Ballard and Loyal Heights community centers, which would have resulted in a reduction in drop-in recreation activities.
Throughout this summer, the City heard from community members who were concerned about the impact of ARC’s reduction in hours, the resulting impact in access to public, low-cost or free recreation activities. Mayor Durkan and the Seattle Parks and Recreation believes that community centers are a critical component of the services that the City provides to Seattle and identified an additional $152,500 to preserve access at these community centers. There will be no interruption in hours as the reductions were not slated to take effect until Fall 2019.
“We have a responsibility to listen to community – and to work with community to help make Seattle a more inclusive and just place,” said Mayor Durkan. “The City needed to step up to protect and preserve this access to our community centers that had previously been supported by our non-profit partner. It’s good news that we found a solution.”
“We know that the parks, open spaces, and facilities that we provide for our residents — including our portfolio of community centers — help our residents as they seek to stay healthy and participate in community building. We continue to pursue ways to provide the best possible services within available funds,” said Jesús Aguirre, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent.
Seattle Parks and Recreation will use funds from the Seattle Metropolitan Park District to continue programming.
In 2017, SPR entered into a partnership with the Associated Recreation Council (ARC) to provide additional operating hours at four centers in northwest Seattle. These hours were provided by funds from ARC, and allowed additional drop-in programming (basketball, pickleball, etc.) along with some scheduled recreation classes.