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South Boulder residents press council to keep pool, gym and rec center open; city schedules study session
Summary
Residents, swim teams and seniors urged Boulder City Council to preserve South Boulder Recreation Center's pool, gym and community space. Council and staff pointed to an April 9 study session on facilities funding and further financial briefings in May.
Residents and community groups told Boulder City Council on March 5 they want the city to preserve the South Boulder Recreation Center'including the pool, gym and gathering spaces'warning closures or consolidation would reduce neighborhood access and harm seniors, swim teams and families.
"I'm speaking as an aging person and a physical therapist'exercise, mobility and keeping moving is the path to quality of life," Becky Hardy said, urging the council to "keep our pool, gym and basketball court." A number of speakers described the center as a neighborhood anchor used for therapy, youth athletics and social connection.
Speakers included longtime residents, swim-team parents and students. Bennett Beersick, a fourth-grader, told council the rec center supports the city's 15-minute neighborhood goal: "How does taking away the pool and gym at the South Boulder Rec Center support that goal? I can't drive. My friends can't drive either." Several speakers said consolidation of pools would force families to drive across town.
Council members and staff responded that the city has scheduled a facilities funding study session focused on rec centers for April 9, and that longer-term financial strategy and annual forecasts will be discussed in May. A staff member said the city is "looking forward to that conversation" and urged residents to participate; multiple council members asked community members to tune in or watch the recording.
The meeting also included an announcement that the city had launched an "Enhanced Engineering Challenge" to solicit ideas, from firms and universities, for extending the life of the South Boulder Rec Center or conceiving a new 100-year facility, with submissions due May 4 and results announced at a South Boulder July 4 event. Council members encouraged community participation and suggested possible private fundraising pathways.
Next steps: staff and council pointed residents to the April 9 study session on facilities funding and the May 14 financial forecast session; residents were encouraged to weigh in and the council said staff will return with updated proposals and data.
(Reporting note: quotes and attributions are drawn from public comment and staff/council discussion on the March 5 City Council meeting.)
