Senior citizens playing badminton in the Frances B. Wyatt Center gym and children splashing in the Carver Recreational Center pool would be looking for new places to have fun under proposed city budget cuts.
Along with leaving recreation centers at their current decreased hours of operation, the cuts, which could come to a City Council vote Tuesday, also include closing the Wyatt Center in North Chattanooga and shutting the Carver Recreation Center pool for at least a year.
“The last thing we want to do is close recreation centers to the people of this city,” said Parks and Recreation director Larry Zehnder.
He said he was asked by city officials where cuts in the Parks and Recreation budget could be made and “reluctantly” recommended the pool and the Wyatt Center because of decreased activity.
The Carver pool had about 1,700 visitors last summer, and the Wyatt Center had about 18,000 annually, city figures show. But officials say both are on the low end of visitation compared with other recreational centers, where the average attendance is about 35,000 per year, said Mr. Zehnder.
At the Wyatt Center on Friday, 5-year-olds painted at an art camp while a group of seniors practiced badminton in the gym.
“I was shocked and depressed when I found out they may close this place,” said Tommy Lin, 73, who plays on the badminton team.
Team members say the center, which also hosts training for the Senior Olympics, has provided them with programs that keep them social and active.
“This is really a health care issue for people like us,” said Jye-fu Shiau, 71, who credits the center’s programs for his health. “I just hope the cost of health care is taken into account here.”
There are other recreation centers, Mr. Shiau said, but they have very limited availability.
Mr. Zehnder said that, if the Wyatt Center is closed, he hopes Parks and Recreation can find new locations and hours to meet seniors’ needs.
Residents of Orchard Knob say the Carver pool has done much more than keep them cool during hot summer months.
“For the neighborhood children, it’s really good because it gives them something to do and something to stay busy with,” said Rosalyn Long, who has been coming to the pool with her five sons for three years.
Neighborhood kids’ groups use the pool heavily during summer, and the pool’s schedule lists groups from North Chattanooga, Westside, Washington Hills, East Lake and Glenwood.
“I don’t like the idea of closing it down because I think that aquatics are vital in our city,” said Councilman Peter Murphy. “It’s very important that our residents have access to places to swim. However, I also understand why the proposal was made.”
The Carver pool was built in the 1970s and needs extensive refurbishment. Both Mr. Murphy and Mr. Zehnder look to the newly renovated Warner Park pool to replace the one at Carver.
IF YOU GO* What: North Chattanooga Neighborhood Association meeting on proposed cuts to Parks and Recreation* When: 4 p.m. Sunday* Where: Francis Wyatt Center, 406 Colville St.
“It makes more sense to close a facility that’s less than mile from another facility,” said Mr. Murphy. “One has been heavily invested in, and the other one really needs investment.”
After opening in early June, the Warner Park pool served twice as many people in its first 10 days as it did in 2009 and brought in three times as much revenue, figures show.
Residents say the proximity of the pool has been key for the community.
“I just hope that the City Council could work with neighbors to keep it open, ’cause there’s not a lot out here for kids to do,” Ms. Long said.
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