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Arlington board questions DPR plan to repurpose Barcroft, citing gymnastics staffing shortages and program impacts
Summary
The county’s Department of Parks & Recreation proposed repurposing Barcroft Sports & Fitness Center and cutting gymnastics and woodshop offerings as part of FY27 reductions that would save an estimated $969,000; board members pressed staff for options to preserve core teen and adaptive programming and for detailed operating costs and equity impacts.
Arlington’s County Board heard a detailed presentation from the Department of Parks & Recreation on proposals meant to help close a $35–$45 million operating shortfall in the county’s FY27 budget. Department director Jane Rudolph told the board the Barcroft Sports & Fitness Center repurpose proposal would produce a net tax‑support savings of about $969,000 while also acknowledging that the change would require moving many users to other centers.
“Because of the configuration of the building, Barcroft cannot be easily activated for other community needs,” Rudolph said, adding that DPR would transition fitness participants to other community centers so they retain access to equipment and programs.
Rudolph and DPR staff also outlined persistent staffing shortages for gymnastics, which the presentation tied to lower cost‑recovery performance and fewer instructors after COVID. DPR reported 148 competitive athletes in FY26, and said the program had canceled 59 recreational classes in FY25 and 51 so far in FY26 because it lacked instructors. Nikesh Jordan, athletic and facility services division chief, said the department currently has three permanent vacancies for the gymnastics staff and additional temporary positions yet to be filled.
Board members emphasized the program’s public value and the short funding runway. “This is not only very well received — it is putting bones and structure that belongs to ongoing funding,” said Board Member Karantonis, urging staff to consider shifting programs from one‑time to ongoing funding or to find alternative mixes that preserve access. Several members asked DPR to model partial alternatives, including operating only one of Barcroft’s two gyms or moving gymnastics classes into DPR’s broader “Enjoy Arlington” catalog.
DPR also proposed a 12‑month freeze of the TJ Community Center woodshop and the independent study program (FY25 unique participants: woodshop 102; independent study 78) while it performs a strategic program review to improve sustainability and participation. Staff said no equivalent in‑system alternative exists during the freeze and pointed to private and educational makerspaces as off‑site options for some users.
Board members asked for follow‑up information on several fronts: the operating costs of Barcroft and comparable centers, the scale of fee reductions served by the gymnastics program, how adaptive movement classes for participants with disabilities could be preserved at alternate sites, and whether volunteer pathways or targeted recruitment could become sustainable staffing channels. Rudolph said DPR would return with additional data and options before any formal decision.
The board did not vote on any proposal during the session; presentations and questions were part of ongoing work sessions leading to later budget action.
