Sports Park Community Workshop to Be Held Thursday

A community workshop will be held from 6-8 p.m. April 11 at the Marina Vista Community Center across the street from City Hall to gauge public opinion on a proposal by city staff to hand management of the Sports Park and Recreation Center to the South Bay Family YMCA.

The workshop time and date was announced Tuesday.

Last week the Imperial Beach City Council was asked by city staff to consider YMCA management of the Sports Park complex.

At one of the best attended meetings in almost a year, members of the public and City Councilmembers both complained that a decision was premature.

Though the city has discussed the option of giving the Sports Park gym, skate park and baseball and softball fields to a private entity since last spring, last week was the first time the issue appeared on a City Council meeting agenda.

The city and Mayor Jim Janney promised that a public forum would be held before a decision was made.

City staff argue that giving management of the Sports Park to a private service provider would save the city more than $100,000 and more services and opportunities for local residents.

Some local residents including parents of Imperial Beach Little League and Imperial Beach Girls Softball players say increased fees would mean the cost of annual membership and other charges would put the YMCA out of reach of many people, young and old.

Click here to read more about last week's meeting.

Correction: This article's headline briefly stated that the workshop will be held Wednesday. The workshop is scheduled to take place Thursday at 6 p.m.