Atlanta rec centers closing because of budget woes

Per Mayor Shirley Franklin's suggestions to the council, 11 recreation centers in the city are to close down for repairs. No word on the specific centers yet. Dianne Harnell Cohen, director of the city's Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, says the centers were planned to be closed before the $140-million shortfall:

“We will be renovating 11 recreation centers for the Opportunity Bond, which must be spent during the 2009 budget. The renovations were planned before the need for budget cuts was determined. We will have some abbreviated hours at the recreation centers, tennis centers and natatoriums. We will have 19 Camp Best Friends sites this summer. All youth athletic activity will continue in place.”

Two rec centers will be shutting down permanently, as well. Again, from Director Cohen:

"The Cleveland Avenue recreation facility, owned by Fulton County, was used only in the summer. The facility is very old and is no longer functional. There are no plans for renovation because one of our best facilities - a class 4 facility Rosel Fann with full gymnasium and natatorium is less than a mile away.

The Arthur Langford recreation facility has been under discussion for a long time because the YMCA built its new mega center there a year ago. We have been working with the community and will continue to in order to integrate programming at the center with the YMCA so the entire community and the building can be well served.”