CCMV is becoming a business

I wanted to comment on the recent move by CCMV to become a revenue-making facility rather than being our “community center.” In order to make money, the facility has pressured the Parks and Recreation classes to downsize their rooms and change their hours. One of the first casualties (other programs are being reviewed) is Jazzercise, an organization that has been with Parks and Rec. for over 20 years, and boasts a membership close to 400, of which over 80 percent are MI residents. A recent evening class in the new relocation, less than half the size of the original room, was cramped and dangerous (bumping into the walls). This made me wonder what the community center is for. Is it a revenue-generating program for the city, or is it supposed to serve the residents of MI? What’s next? Off-Island renters getting priority over MI renters (MI residents get a discount rate) to make more money?

December 2, 2008 5:29 pm

I wanted to comment on the recent move by CCMV to become a revenue-making facility rather than being our “community center.” In order to make money, the facility has pressured the Parks and Recreation classes to downsize their rooms and change their hours. One of the first casualties (other programs are being reviewed) is Jazzercise, an organization that has been with Parks and Rec. for over 20 years, and boasts a membership close to 400, of which over 80 percent are MI residents. A recent evening class in the new relocation, less than half the size of the original room, was cramped and dangerous (bumping into the walls). This made me wonder what the community center is for. Is it a revenue-generating program for the city, or is it supposed to serve the residents of MI? What’s next? Off-Island renters getting priority over MI renters (MI residents get a discount rate) to make more money?

Ivy Suzuki-Jaecks