Residents of Queen Anne want to make sure they are heard loud and clear about Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn's proposed gym closure at the Queen Anne Community Center to make space for a children's television studio.
Anger and frustration resonated through the Queen Anne Community Council (QACC) meeting on Wednesday night when the proposed gym closure item came up on the agenda.
Pat Barger, a long time resident and volunteer for the center spoke about the people and organizations the gym closure would affect.
"We are pleased that the mayor's proposed budget maintains the Queen Anne Aquatic Center," Barger began. "However, I am very displeased with the proposed plan for the community center. To take most of the space to rent for a television company's exclusive use, reduce staff from five to two full-time employees and reduce the hours of operation to 32 or so, will, in essence, kill most of the programs enjoyed by the public."
McGinn's plan, which is stated in his 2011-12 proposed budget, is to close the gym for public use and lease the 10,000 square foot space to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) children's television show, Biz Kid$, for production of the series.
"The loss of the gym will have a very serious impact on everyone from the very young to the very old," said Barger. The gym is home to numerous community programs, including toddler's gym, Lil Kickers, 22 youth basketball teams, two basketball instructional leagues, family fun nights, two volleyball teams, senior aerobics, senior pickle ball, the Puget Sound Basketball League games and various events.
"Another problem not recognized in the budget proposal is that the center is a designated emergency shelter for the city of Seattle," Barger added.
Barger wasn't the only one who had input on the agenda item. Seattle City Councilman Tim Burgess, also a Queen Anne resident, sat in the audience listening to the various questions, comments and concerns from community members.
Despite the background noise of the basketball game across the hall, Burgess stood up and addressed the residents' concerns by saying, "This is not a city council idea; it came from Mayor McGinn. We learned about it one day when he shared his budget with us. You have lots of support on the council not to do this.
"A couple points on how you can influence what we do on the council is to send emails and come to the budget hearings we have, but remember every single council meeting starts with public comment. Like today we had budget meetings all day and two people showed up. They got to dominate the whole time in public testimony."
One of the questions posed to Burgess was, "During a time when childhood obesity is at an all time high, the First Lady's "Let's Move" campaign and the National Football League's "Play 60" campaign are in high gear and the concern over the younger generation being dependent on television, computers and video games, what message does closing a community gym and turning it into a television studio say to children and adults of this community?"
In response, Burgess said, "Well, I don't favor the action, I think you should ask the mayor."
Resident Lisa Beard, in an email, voiced her disapproval of the closure by saying, "A television studio taking over a community gymnasium is just tragic. It really strikes a nerve with me and I'm sure with other families who are trying to balance "screen time" with more physical and intellectual activities.
"The mayor is sending a terrible message," continued Beard.
At the close of discussion, people using the gym for a basketball game during the meeting were asked about their feelings on the proposed closure.
"I went to McClure Middle School and grew up on Queen Anne," said Dean Sherry. "This gym helped me stay out of trouble when I was younger."
"I play in the Puget Sound Basketball League (PSBL) which has 275 teams that play at various gyms," said Eric Trower. "I think community centers are important resources for younger kids and those of us that are in our 40s.
"I think the decision to close the gym and turn it into a production studio calls into question the priorities of the public," continued Trower. "I wonder if the people making these decisions have ever utilized these facilities."
Amy Sanders Cunningham has urged the community to take action as well by attending one of the two remaining public hearings wearing red, bringing signs that read, "We want Queen Anne gym" and to stand up and speak during the public comment period.
The Seattle City Council will hold the two final public hearings at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday Oct. 13, at the Brockey Center at South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Ave. S.W., and at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 26, at Seattle City Hall Council Chambers, second floor, 600 Fourth Ave.
Attempts were made to contact Biz Kid$ and the mayor for comment, but no response was received by press time.
For more information on the Seattle City Council budget hearings, call 206-684-8888 or visit the Web site at www.seattle.gov/council.[[In-content Ad]]
