Fallout from Parks Tacoma budget’s woes hits popular community centers
Hours at Parks Tacoma community centers are soon to roll back, part of $9 million in cuts that the agency approved in the midst of a recent budget deficit.
The changes, which will go into effect on July 1, will affect the Center at Norpoint, STAR Center, People’s Center and Eastside Center, according to a news release from Parks Tacoma. Community center closures previously have been a source of controversy in Tacoma. A scheduled closure of the Eastside Community Center during Tacoma Public Schools’ spring break this year resulted in pushback from residents who said Tacoma’s youth depended on the centers to have a safe space to go outside of school.
All four centers will be fully closed on Sundays, and Eastside and People’s centers will open one hour later Monday through Friday. Eastside will close one hour early on Saturday, and People’s will close three hours early on Saturday, the release states.
Norpoint will close one hour early on Saturday, and the STAR Center will open at 9 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. on weekdays and will close two hours early on Saturday.
The reduced hours will save Parks Tacoma about $180,000, according to a presentation from May. The agency’s board on June 22 approved the reductions after months of turmoil. The board asked now-former executive director Shon Sylvia to step down in May, also one day after voters overwhelmingly voted in favor of a $155 million capital bond measure.
The reductions are among a number of cuts Parks Tacoma made to mitigate the $9 million gap. It also eliminated millions in funding for beloved after-school programs called Beyond the Bell and Club B — programs that were highly subsidized and provided accessible and affordable childcare in a region where childcare costs remain high.
Sylvia’s sudden departure has raised questions about a lack of oversight of Sylvia and the agency’s finances. He left Parks Tacoma with a more than half million dollar payout, having undergone just three of the annual performance reviews that he was required to do in the nearly 10 years he held the job.
“Maintaining a high level of service is our priority. Closing all centers on Sunday will allow us to use our staff in a fiscally responsible manner to provide quality customer service, have a safe facility, and provide center amenities during peak operational hours,” the release states.
Building and room rentals at the community centers that coincide with the new closure times will not be affected by the changes, according to Parks Tacoma.
Parks Tacoma’s “Senior Hubs” programming and fitness classes at Norpoint, People’s and Eastside Centers will not be affected by the changes. Some fitness classes at the STAR Center that start at 8:45 a.m. will now start at 9 a.m., the release states.
Visit parkstacoma.gov/community-center-hours/ to learn more.
