List Details Proposed Rec Center Closings

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In an effort to balance the city's 2009 budget, a list was released Thursday. It detailed rec centers and water facilities that could be closed.

Here are the undeniable facts: The city faces a $60 to $80 million shortfall. Mayor Coleman has suggested 130 layoffs to help balance the budget. There is a hiring freeze on police and fire and a proposal for the closure of five pools and 11 city recreation centers.

NBC 4's Mikaela Hunt got answers on the possible closings.

The recommended closings include:

In addition, Douglas Recreation Center, 1250 Windsor Ave. (43211), will be subject to reduced hours and programming.

The criteria for closing the proposed centers were based on service area, demographics, accessibility, participation, programs and utilization by outside agencies. 

"The decision to close these facilities was not easy and was not taken lightly by our staff because we know that all of our recreation centers are vital to the neighborhoods they serve," said Alan D. McKnight, director of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. "However, with the reductions to our 2009 budget combined with cuts over the last eight years, we really had no other choice other than to reduce the number of staff and facilities that we operate."

Hunt reported 51 staff members will be laid off.

Formal programming at the 12 affected facilities will cease as of Jan. 1, but facilities will remain open for informal, drop-in activities through the end of February.

Douglas will continue to be open on a limited basis.

"It is important for everyone to understand that these center closings are a temporary measure to get us through next year," McKnight said. 

He emphasized, however, that he will have to wait and see what the economy does in 2009 and beyond before he can begin to determine how quickly he can reopen any of the facilities.

McKnight noted that many in the community have expressed an eagerness to respond to Mayor Michael Coleman’s call for members of the community to take on additional responsibilities during this time of shared sacrifice. 

Coleman and McKnight have talked to several community organizations, such as the YMCA, St. Stephen’s Community House and area churches, to help fill the gap in services once the centers are closed.

Coleman made an unexpected appearance at the meeting and said he has not seen in his lifetime the economic challenges that face this country, state and city. He said we need more revenue in the city.  That's the only way we're going to get through this, but everybody will have to step up.

Coleman commended churches and organizations for doing that in this case.

"While we know that there will be some citizens who will not have recreational services available to them directly in their immediate neighborhoods because of the planned closings, we will do the best we can by offering them programming and welcoming them at any of our remaining 18 open centers that will be open on a full-time basis," McKnight said.  "And, we are optimistic about working with many organizations throughout our city who want to step up to the plate and welcome our participants into their programming."

In addition to the recreation centers, the department is also proposing to close the Golden Hobby shop, the Columbus Youth Performing Arts Center, and six of its swimming pools.

This past summer we opened seven of our 10 pools and next year we will only have four in operation, McKnight said.

These four water facilities and pools will remain open: Dodge, Marion Franklin, Tuttle and Sprayground, Hunt reported.

The three additional pools that will close in 2009 include Fairwood at 1392 Fairwood Ave., Lincoln at 1700 Ann St. and Windsor at 1300 Windsor Ave. Blackburn, Glenwood and the indoor Swim Center were closed this past summer, but the Swim Center continues to operate during the indoor swim season, which is typically September through May, and will do so in 2009 as well.

"It’s essential for our citizens to know that we will still operate 18 community recreation centers and four pools next year that will have a full compliment of activities and programs to meet the recreational needs of our citizens," McKnight said. "We’re not closing our doors permanently -- just temporarily until the city can ride out this challenging economy. In the meantime, we hope that participants will feel welcome at our other facilities, that parents will take the extra step in getting their children involved in programs at some of our other facilities and that we all work together as a community to make the best of this difficult situation."

Hunt visited with neighbors jolted by the news.

"I'm a single mom. I work 12 hours a day. It's a huge thing for my kids," resident Seanna Deoring said.

Some feel that if the rec centers aren't available to keep kids out of trouble, they're going to be caught right in it.

"Frankly, it's one of the toughest things I've done in my political career," Coleman said.

Late Thursday, Councilwoman Priscilla Tyson sent out a statement about the closings. In it, she pledged to work with council members to keep as many of the closing centers open -- as possible.

Residents will know a final decision in February when the council has amended and approved the budget.

The department’s buildings and pools that are closed will be monitored several times a week for safety, security and maintenance reasons. 

In addition, the Columbus Public Safety Department has been notified of the closings and will work with the Division of Police to keep a close eye on the facilities, as well.

Stay tuned to NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for more information on this developing story.

To send a news tip or submit a story idea, e-mail .

MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video