SEATTLE - Outgoing superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation Tim Gallagher says mid-year budget reductions of three percent will likely result in the closure of community centers and pools, as early as June.
The Seattle Parks Department is considering the closure of two community centers and two to three community swimming pools within the next few weeks.
Because the Ballard Community Center and the Loyal Heights Community Center are close to each other, one of them is vulnerable to closure.
"We're ready to collapse here." said Gallagher, who resigned Monday, effective May 10, after media reports of his travel expenses to a parks conference in Australia.
Gallagher says along with community centers and pools, 24 of Seattle's 27 public wading pools may close in June. Three wading pools - at Lincoln Park, Green Lake and Volunteer Park - will remain open.
The closures are under consideration because of a $2.5 million mid-year budget gap. Gallagher predicts that more closures will come in 2011, when the Parks Department faces larger budget deficits.
To add a comment, please register or login.