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Residents question 65,000 sq ft rec center and 'pay-to-play' fees in City Park plan
Summary
Public commenters criticized the proposed 65,000 sq ft community building and associated fees for fitness facilities and the pool, arguing the park should prioritize free open space and local access; staff said only the fitness room, gymnasium and pool would be fee-based and scholarships would be available.
Critics told the Historic Preservation Board the proposed community building is too large for a historic park and that fee-based amenities would reduce access for neighborhood residents.
Community Services Director Donna Finch said staff have proposed fee-based access only for the fitness room, gymnasium and pool; "The remaining features of the building... will have an open lobby area. Those are all gonna be accessible without any fees," she said, adding the city intends to offer scholarships for classes. Staff also confirmed the building is about 65,000 square feet and will sit on roughly 1 to 1.5 acres of the park, with about 16 acres of outdoor open space remaining.
Residents countered that the building’s cost and the potential 'pay-to-play' nature of key amenities run contrary to the park’s history as a readily accessible community space. "We're gonna spend over $50,000,000 on a gym," one resident said, and others asked that organized sports not displace casual open play.
