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1. westwoodmom
   Member Profile

   And quietly the City Council just closes a community center in an area of town where they know there aren't as many higher income folks to make a big fuss like they would in say, Green Lake. Tonight southwest Seattle loses the center that has the most usable space, was just starting to produce a decent revenue after off and on closures for remodeling (3 million that you the public will never see used) and was working hard to develop a community focus. The pool IS staying open, but with the Neighborhood Resource Center in its lobby, which might make more than a few of us reluctant to drop in with our little ones. And the Teen Center does stay open, but their afternoon hours do not fully take advantage of the beautiful gym and other space. Sad, City Council, this is a huge disappointment, a waste of my tax dollars and a huge loss to our community.

   Posted 6 months ago #         

2. JoB
   Member Profile

   westwoodmom...

   why on earth would you be reluctant to drop into the southwest community center to use the pool with your little ones because there are poor people in lobby trying to access city services?

   poor doesn't rub off...

   that said...

   i too wish they had found another space in West Seattle for the neighborhood resource center

   closing down a program that is working for the community in favor of another that doens't fully utilize the resources seems wasteful of taxpayer funds

   Posted 6 months ago #         

3. DBP
   Member Profile

   Jeez, JoB . . . Don't you think that's a bit harsh on wwm?

   Posted 6 months ago #         

4. Jiggers
   Member Profile

   

   The downsizing in this city to serve the greater community has risen to a low new level. It's sad.

   Posted 6 months ago #         

5. JanS
   Member Profile

   

   DBP...not harsh..truthful and honest. The OP stated that she wouldn't take her kids to swimming with the Neighborhood Service Center there. The "why? question needs to be asked.

   Posted 6 months ago #         

6. JoB
   Member Profile

   DBP...

   i think westwoodmom's comment was a bit harsh on those who will be using the neighborhood service center...

   Posted 6 months ago #         

7. westwoodmom
   Member Profile

   Wow, yes, I forgot how quick some are to judge, especially when accusing others of judging without asking for clarification first.

   What others have noted before me is the issue of the money that is taken in daily and the inherent security concerns that brings-enough that they considered bullet proof glass. That increased risk, and the general increased traffic, most definitely changes the feel and many families are watching to see how this changes the general security. And it is very poor planning that the majority of people who need to use this center depend upon bus service, so moving it from one of the best to the WORST W Seattle routes makes me angry for those who need this center and are those that have the least voice to say so. This kind of closure would not happen in Green Lake or Queen Anne, we all know.

   Posted 6 months ago #         

8. JoB
   Member Profile

   westwoodmom..

   again..there you go with the assumption that a neighborhood service center equates to increased risk ...

   I live less than 3 blocks from the Community Center ...

   yet I am not concerned about the increased safety risks posed by the increase in foot traffic in my neighborhood.

   as for the bus line..
   you have noticed that a major high school is on that bus line haven't you?
   and that several other bus lines are a very short walk from the community center?

   I can assure you that the local high school kids have no difficulty navigating the system...

   those who use the neighborhood service center won't either.

   I too am saddened to see our community lose the full use of a community center that has just been renovated at great expense...

   it's seems wasteful to renovate a building for one use and just when the renovation is completed decide to use it for an entirely different use that doesn't utilize the renovations...

   but i am not so convinced that Green Lake and Queen Anne are exempt from "this kind of closure".

   Are you aware that Green Lake is the only free public shower in the city system and that the homeless regularly use it to shower?

   Whether they use the pool or not, showers still cost $5 at the Community Center.

   I am guessing that the residents of Green Lake complain just as bitterly about their exposure...

   "this wouldn't happen in West Seattle"...

   Posted 6 months ago #         

9. HMC Rich
   Member Profile

   

   Oh Hell. Where are us Republicans going to meet? I kind of liked that big empty room. Seems to me since it is so close to the schools, maybe they could re-purpose it for gifted swimmers.

   Posted 6 months ago #         

10. bluebird
    Member Profile

    "yet I am not concerned about the increased safety risks posed by the increase in foot traffic in my neighborhood"

    WWM stated increased revenue created a risk, not foot traffic. So much so that the center considered bullet proof glass. Increased foot traffic gives it a different feel. I would take a guess that a building full of adults using the resource center is different than families with kids playing and swimming. Has nothing to do with income status. She's perfectly entitled to her concerns and it's very rude to dismiss her because you don't share them.

    Posted 6 months ago #         

11. WSB
    Member Profile

    

    We will be pursuing followups in the weeks ahead about what kind of remodeling is planned for the building now that the budget decision is final. The community center and pool shared a lobby and having spent years going there often with the kid when he was younger, until I see sketches, etc., I'm having trouble envisioning how they're going to set it up. - TR

    Posted 6 months ago #         

12. JoB
    Member Profile

    bluebird...

    i am not convinced that the increased revenue poses any more risk to the neighborhood or those who use the community center any more than the increased foot traffic ...

    i am so tired of lions and tigers and bears
    oh my :(

    Posted 6 months ago #         

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