Arlington residents urge board to save Barcroft gymnastics, offer revenue fixes
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Summary
Dozens of residents, athletes and coaches told the Arlington County Board that closing Barcroft Sports & Fitness Center or cutting its gymnastics and adaptive programs would harm children and remove unique community resources; speakers offered fee and staffing changes to keep the programs running.
Dozens of Arlington residents urged the County Board Thursday to keep the Barcroft Sports & Fitness Center open and preserve its gymnastics and adaptive programs, arguing the facility serves thousands of children and provides rare community space.
"Please don't do this," said Tommy Jones, speaking for users of Barcroft's boxing and martial-arts facilities, imploring the board not to close a venue he described as "an island of stability" for many participants. Longtime member Mike James called Barcroft "a terrific facility" that serves toddlers through seniors and said closing it would erode a rare multigenerational community asset.
Parents, coaches and athletes described long wait lists and strong demand. "We serve over 1,000 kids per session and more on the wait list," Arlington Tigers parent Carrie Garcia said, noting the program's nearly 50-year history. Several young gymnasts and coaches said the adaptive program provides services unavailable elsewhere in the region.
Speakers did not simply plead for funding; they proposed operational changes to boost revenue and staffing. Anthony Huang, who said his group built a modeling tool using the county's own numbers, urged the board to raise the recreation program's cost-recovery target, increase rec-class hourly fees from $13.80 toward market rates, add 30 rec classes, fill three vacant positions, and expand birthday parties, private lessons and open-gym sessions. "Let's say yes to revenue," Huang said, and pointed the board to an online tool at savearlingtongymnastics.com.
Coaches and former county employees also testified about hiring and retention problems. Rocco Giambalvo, a junior at Yorktown High School and longtime participant in Arlington Tigers, said well-trained competitive gymnasts face long delays when applying to volunteer or work for the county and urged a more efficient hiring pipeline that would expand staffing capacity.
Medical and educational arguments framed the program's value beyond recreation. Dr. Julia Aziz, a pediatrician and parent of an adaptive-program participant, told the board that gymnastics provides physical, social and emotional benefits that support child development and mental health.
Advocates said the county's presentation that enrollment is declining and programs are not revenue-positive does not match community experience. Several speakers noted high wait lists, long-standing demand, and community-led ideas to increase revenue.
The public comments came as the board considers the county manager's proposed FY2027 budget, which includes program freezes and service reductions to address a budget shortfall. The board closed the public hearing and will take action at its April County Board meeting; no final budget decisions were made Thursday.
