(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Meadows Park Community Center in Colorado Springs is set to close next month as part of the city’s efforts to address a $31 million budget shortfall.
The closure, scheduled for Oct. 10, is expected to save the city over $700,000. City officials have cited a $10 million shortfall in sales tax revenue as a key reason for the budget cuts, which also includes laying off nearly 40 employees.
“I don’t quit. I don’t give up,” said Lonnie Myers, a community member who has been actively fighting to keep the center open.
“It’s always really difficult to make these budget decisions, but we have to do it based on the priorities that the residents have told us, which are overwhelmingly public safety and roads,” said Jamie Fabos, Chief of Staff for the City of Colorado Springs.
The Meadows Park Community Center serves a low-income area, providing affordable childcare and convenient access for locals. Myers, who has been involved with the center since it opened, expressed concern that the closure would disrupt the community’s access to these vital services.
The city plans to redirect those who use Meadows Park to the Hillside Community Center, which is a few miles away. City leaders have spoken with Hillside, which believes it has enough resources to absorb the people affected by the closure.
Myers highlighted the challenges faced by neighbors who rely on the center, noting that many walk or use mobility aids to reach Meadows Park. “They walk here, or the use their walkers… and they come enjoy themselves,” Myers said, emphasizing the inconvenience of having to travel further to Hillside.
Despite the city’s assurance that Hillside can accommodate the additional demand, Myers and other community members remain unconvinced, arguing that Meadows Park is more than just a building; it is a vital part of their community.
The closure of Meadows Park Community Center is part of broader budgetary measures by the city, prioritizing public safety and road improvements. While the city plans to redirect services to Hillside Community Center, community members like Myers continue to advocate for keeping Meadows Park open, underscoring its importance to the local community.
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