Parents feared a popular rec program with childcare was ending. Here’s the new plan
There’s a new plan for the future of the city of Bonney Lake’s recreation program.
The Bonney Lake City Council unanimously voted during the Aug. 22 city council meeting to enter into a new interlocal agreement with the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District so the recreation program can continue operating.
Last year, families were concerned the recreation program was ending. The News Tribune reported in January 2022 the city had sent a letter to the school district, stating its intent not to renew their agreement. Both the city and school district reassured families the program wasn’t ending.
The new agreement will expire Aug. 31, 2024. The city is responsible for managing the recreation program. The school district plans to contribute $50,000 to help with the program’s operating and maintenance costs.
The recreation program will continue offering the sports and activities it’s been offering, such as the father and daughter dance. Chuck McEwen, the city’s administrative services director, said nothing in the program will change.
However, the new agreement states the recreation program won’t include before- or after-school childcare. The school district has partnered with Right At School to provide those services, instead.
“Right At School is a for-profit. They operate in many states through the U.S. The cost varies based on if you do before school, after school or a combo,” district spokesperson Elle Warmuth said. “The cost is minimal. There’s electrical and custodial costs, but we’re operating the district at that same time anyway. And we also receive a 5 percent net revenue from Right At School to offset the cost.”
After-school care goes until 6 p.m. and costs $92-$346 per month. Before-school care starts at 6:30 a.m. and costs about the same.
A family looking for both before- and after-school care would pay $119-$444 per month, depending how many days a week they need the service.
The rec program has been around since 1991. As of last month, it has had 3,853 participants this year.
McEwen said the School District managed the program until 2017, and the city took the reigns in 2017 to prevent the recreation program from ending.
However, McEwen said council members were concerned about the city offering childcare services. The city and school district concluded it was best to find a public or private partner to continue offering those services.
By turning childcare services over to the school district, the district was able to contract with Right At School, McEwen said.
Melanie Roach was one of the parents who spoke about the value and importance of the recreation program during a Jan. 11, 2022, city council meeting. All five of her children had participated in the program.
Roach told The News Tribune it’s good to see the city and school district come to a conclusion. She’s happy to see the recreation program continue in its current form.
“That brings me peace,” Roach said.
Cost to run the Bonney Lake rec program
Mayor Michael McCullough said when the city used to offer before- or after-school childcare, it helped supplement the cost of running the recreation program. Now that it’s been, cut the city expects to lose about $450,000.
Asked what it costs to run the rec program, McEwen said that, as of Aug. 31, “the City collected $595,441 and expended $737,207 for a negative balance of $-141,766.”
McCullough said the city hopes to create more partnerships to expand the recreation program and replenish the budget.
Council members voted 6-1 during the Sept. 12 city council meeting to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Mt. Rainier Athletic Club regarding a potential partnership for the use of city-owned property to build public or private multi-use sports fields.
The Mt. Rainier Athletic Club is a local for-profit sports club that offers soccer and flag football. The property under consideration is at 7109-7111 Barkubein Road E., McEwen said.
