Parents urge Ojai to boost gymnastics program budget after equipment shows wear

A parent who attends Ojai’s gymnastics program four days a week asked the Parks and Recreation Commission Thursday to increase the program’s budget so worn equipment can be replaced without relying on parent fundraising.

Jolene Catlett said she has two children in the program and has observed “chunks missing” from two lower balance beams and torn or missing mat handles. She told the commission the gymnastics program historically has generated significant revenue for the department and that its annual allocation has fallen from approximately $10,000 in 2017–18 to a proposed $2,400 in the current year.

Catlett said coaches and parents have previously used a mix of grants and city purchases to acquire equipment; she asked the commission to consider allocating funds to replace aging beams and mats rather than placing the cost burden on parents. “A thousand dollars, a couple thousand dollars each — I don’t think that burden should fall on the parents group,” she said.

Commissioners and staff noted budget constraints and directed staff to consider the concern when preparing the recreation budget and capital-improvement priorities. No formal motion was made during the public comment period on the request.

The comment was recorded during the meeting’s public communications period.