In January, I wrote an article in the La Jolla Light addressing the fact that the future of the La Jolla Recreation Center is in serious jeopardy. I write again on the same topic to raise the community’s awareness aboutsignificant challenges we face in the upcoming months, and to highlight the importance of preserving this treasured jewel.
By way of background, the Rec Center was built in 1915 by Ellen Browning Scripps whose residence was next door. It was dedicated that same year to the City of San Diego for the children of La Jolla. Equivalent in size to approximately two city blocks, the Rec Center features, among other things, two sand play areas with climbing structures, picnic tables, basketball courts, tennis courts, a recreation center with classrooms and an auditorium, and the La Jolla Tennis Club and Pro Shop. The Rec Center also serves as the primaryvenue for public meetings where generations of La Jollans have come together to vet important issues that affect all of La Jolla, including Bird Rock.
Impending budget cuts threaten the sustainability of the Rec Center and its many programs. As it currently stands, if it were not for the generous donations of local groups and citizens who “buy hours” to maintain the current schedule, the Rec Center would operate under morelimited hours. These privately purchased hours include keeping the facility open so that community groups can hold public meetings and invite your input on importantissues. Many of these meetings mustadjourn before completion of the agenda because staff has to leave andclose the building. We don’t want that to get worse. And rest assured, as budget cuts continue, so willthe availability of these meetings at this location.
As I have mentioned in the past, the BRCC is exploring ways to help the Rec Center increase its private donations and lobby our city representatives for their support. I’m not talking about committing BRCC monies, but rather finding a way support the fundraising and related efforts for this worthy cause. Some people have asked why Bird Rock should get involved in a center that is not in our neighborhood. Here is the answer: Bird Rock does not have a Rec Center, and many families from our neighborhood use the Rec Center ona regular basis. In addition, local organizations such as Community Planning Association (“CPA”), Traffic & Transportation (“T&T”) and Planned District Ordinance (“PDO”) hold their public meetings there. These organizations have made some very heavy decisions affecting the people of Bird Rock—it would be a shame if this process was given short-shrift by a further reduction of hours.
Here is another case in point. Like many families, my wife and I enjoy the tradition of bringing our children to the Rec Center for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. We look forward to it every year. The egg hunt is an entirely free event sponsored solely for the delight of our children, their parents and relatives. Where else can you go for that kind of free and memorable entertainment in such a beautiful setting? And here’s the kicker—the majority of the families in attendance are from Bird Rock. So on top of having a good time, we get to see our neighbors and visit as if we were hanging out on the Boulevard. That kind of community interaction is priceless.
Now, the bad news. The two-year plan to fix San Diego’s troubled finances includes cuts that will leave recreation centers closed on most days. As reported by the UT, “…the likely most jarring decision for city residents will be the plan to slash library and recreation center hours in half, a move that will shutter those facilities on most days and eliminate after-school programs at some locations.” This means that recreation center hours could be cut from 40 to 20 per week beginning Sept. 6. I’m still in shock over that news. This is a disaster.
What can you do? I’m asking folks to find a way to continue funding of the Rec Center (whether private or public) so that we can address the impending cuts. I’m also calling on all of the local groups in La Jolla to join this cause. One idea is for the BRCC to coordinate fundraising activity with other local groups in La Jolla so that we can jointly share the responsibility of saving this important resource. By banding together, we can empower a La Jolla-wide effort that everyone can be proud of.
