Unless a deep-pocketed benefactor steps forward, Colorado Springs’ community centers are closing in March.
It will be devastating to the immediate neighborhoods losing their community centers: Deerfield Hills, Hillside, Stratton Meadows and the Westside.
In addition, the city, as a whole, will suffer. In 2008, the city’s community centers had 237,319 visits. This year, Deerfield Hills expects to finish with 75,000 visits alone.
Community centers are the heart and soul of their neighborhoods.
They are places seniors get hot lunches and enjoy a variety of programs.
They offer low-income parents an affordable option for preschool and day care services.
The centers with their rec rooms, gyms and televisions provide a place for school-age kids to stay after school, and for teens to drop in rather than roam the streets.
Below is a photo of Deerfield Hills from Google’s Street View map program. On the right is the community garden. Behind the building is the sprayground.
Deerfield Hills was built as a private clubhouse and swimming pool for the surrounding subdivision. The city bought it in the 1970s and it became Colorado Springs’ first true community center.
The swimming pool failed and was closed in 2003, replaced three years ago by a popular spray ground. Here’s a look at the spray ground in a 2007 Gazette photo:
Want to know more about what the city is losing? There are brochures online at www.SpringsGov.com that explain all the programs.
Here’s a link for the West Center brochure.
Here’s a link to the brochure for the southeast centers, including Hillside and Deerfield Hills. Two others, Otis Park and Sand Creek, will close.
Click here to see the Meadows Park brochure.
It’s not too late to help. The centers are conducting fundraising drives. They are soliciting donors and partners and volunteers. To adopt a center, there is an online form available.
Want to help? Got questions? Call Brian Kates, director at Meadows Park, at 385-7942.
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why aren’t the closings spread over the city (northside) equitably? How much do we take away from seniors and low income that need the programs the cmty ctr provide?
Lets talk about how just maybe it is not understood by some how intrically important our Community Centers are to the entire city, even those who don’t use them. Americas concern for its children, elderly and families is what makes us civilized. We are a diverse community with the same needs. The ability to identyfy with our neighbors socially and in a spirit of friendship and family. Our Community centers are the meeting ground for those we might not otherwise meet for the community centers serve our entire city and not just those in the general area of the center. No matter the social-economic status of an an area, a community center meets the needs of that particular community and other communities as need, open to all. Whether it be feeding the elderly, or a place to receive specific training and classes for young moms or inspiring dancers. It is a place to celebrate a birthday or form a committee of young volunteers in the city. We sometime minimize what is so important to others. Will those young people who utilize the parks ajacent to or in the centers who may not have the funds for private clubs will not play ball? Cultural festivals enjoyed by multiple communities will not offer diversity in our anymore? Weddings and dinners, and programs taken away will show just how poor our city is becoming. We cannot lable trivial which is the normal for the masses of young and old in this city. Lets get together, all communities and be creative in maintaining the existance of our community centers. Bowlathons, danceathons, get sponsers, tell your friends, write home to family, write your congressman, ask businesses to hold fundraisers, If every citizen in this city donated just one dollar, we would meet our goals. There are many memories and passages attached to our community centers. Let us keep them a heritage for a time to come.
Respectfully
Janice Sturlaugson
3/05-2010