Instructor criticizes new rec‑center pay split, urges support for community programs

A local instructor told Sugar Land city leaders the recent change to instructor compensation is cutting deeply into long‑time providers’ pay and urged the council to recognize instructors as community partners.

The speaker, who has provided classes at city recreation facilities for 19 years, said the council’s new split reduced instructor pay and that program-related costs such as registration and advertising are minimal in the CivicRec system. “Our mission is to enrich the lives of Sugarland community through accessible, highquality fitness and wellness programs that promote healthy lifestyle, personal growth, and meaningful community connections,” the instructor said, reading the programs’ mission statement. The speaker said they occupy roughly 1,200 square feet of a 17,000 square‑foot facility—about 1% usage—and that the city’s increase took “12 and a half% of my pay” while the city’s own fee rose by 50%.

Council did not take immediate action during the workshop; staff noted public comment and indicated follow‑up could occur in future agenda items. The instructor asked the city to consider alternatives that would preserve volunteer and small‑provider participation in rec programming rather than pushing those offerings out for commercial operations.