Council held its hearing today on the bill to open rec centers. DPR, as you might expect, presented a bunch reasons why it is impossible for them to open on Sundays. Some of these reasons were absurd. For example, DPR said that operating hours reflect data driven decision making based on site utilization. But how can they have any data on what Sunday utilization might be when the centers are invariably closed?

On a more positive note, a group of students from Brookland Middle School gave very heartfelt testimony in support of the legislation. It is so nice to see young people participate in the democratic process!

It is still not too late to make your voice heard. You can submit a written comment for the record using this link:

https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/testimony/1999

It's super easy and only takes a few minutes. You can literally just write a paragraph or two. Please take a moment to express your support!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Then cut the budget and increase DPR staffing levels. Most of us would agree that better hours for rec centers is a good thing. However, an unfunded mandate from the same drunken sailors that throw wasteful sums of money on their pet projects is the worst of all worlds and will lead to unintended consequences. It's emblematic of what a joke our lazy council and political class is.

It’s weird that the rec centers are open on days/times when utilization is light (like Monday mornings) but closed when many people are free for recreation (Sundays).

Government employees don't work on weekends.

They staff the outdoor pools on weekends during the Summer.

I agree with what others are saying. First, you really only need the Rec centers open on Sundays from say November - end of March. Second, you can close them for a day during the week.

All that said...my kid plays Sunday basketball games at Jellef, sometimes Sunday evening. So, clearly not all rec centers are closed on Sundays.

Yes, rotate day of week at different centers, like pools do. Monday Upshur is closed, Tuesday Francis, Wed Hearst…

Anonymous wrote:One thing I love about this bill is it is the purest kind of legislation. See problem, fix problem. No bells in whistles.

You could also ask why legislation is even needed. Bowser could just do it on her own, like, today.

One thing I love about this bill is it is the purest kind of legislation. See problem, fix problem. No bells in whistles.

I’m actually surprised this was a thing and that that no one in the city government thought of this during the depths of the recent crime wave. Actually, no I’m not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Then cut the budget and increase DPR staffing levels. Most of us would agree that better hours for rec centers is a good thing. However, an unfunded mandate from the same drunken sailors that throw wasteful sums of money on their pet projects is the worst of all worlds and will lead to unintended consequences. It's emblematic of what a joke our lazy council and political class is.

It’s weird that the rec centers are open on days/times when utilization is light (like Monday mornings) but closed when many people are free for recreation (Sundays).

A lot of things in DC seem to be run more like jobs programs than actually meeting their intended purpose.

It is indeed weird. It reeks of clientelism and corruption. Hopefully, as we move forward, the DC government can focus more on serving its citizens rather than them serving the staff.

I heard that Baltimore kept its rec centers open when kids needed it and the crime rates dropped.

Much of the DC government seems to exist solely for the benefit of the politicians who dole out the money and the people who receive the money.