Longstanding Logan rec center agreement to shift; residents ask council for transparency and public input

Jeff and Diana King, long‑time Logan residents, told the City Council on Jan. 27 that a roughly 50‑year agreement between the city and the school district that governs the Community Recreation Center should remain intact and open to the public unless residents have a clear replacement plan.

“Any long standing agreement like this that’s been in place for 50 years can continue if the parties agree to it,” Jeff King said during the public comment period, adding that the rec center serves many residents and counted more than 104,000 patron visits in 2024, a figure he said did not include youth sports or fitness classes.

The Kings asked the council whether the existing agreement is publicly available, whether it has an expiration date and whether the city or school district has sought public input before changing access terms.

Mayor Danes responded that the city and the school district have discussed transferring more control to the district because the high school’s programs now include additional sanctioned sports and expanded scheduling needs. She said the city negotiated an ending date and that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) describes how the transition will occur. Danes also said the city participated in a countywide feasibility study and had discussed the topic at council meetings beginning in 2022.

Council members and staff clarified that student use would have scheduling priority during parts of the weekday: students would have priority access from about 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Mayor Danes and parks staff stressed that the center will remain open to the public for at least three years under the planned transition timeline, though scheduling and program access may change during that period.

Council members suggested that residents who want more detail should correspond directly with the mayor’s office to review the MOU and the history of negotiations. Several council members also urged the public to raise questions at upcoming neighborhood and committee meetings where the topic may be discussed.

The council did not take formal action on the rec center during the meeting. Staff and the mayor said they would follow up with additional information and emails for residents who asked for clarification.

Residents who want access to the agreement or further details were told to contact the mayor’s office for the memorandum of understanding and supporting materials; the city said it will provide more information by email.