20240327-009_JIC FY24-25 Gus Garcia Recreation Center Temporary Expansion Budget Recommendation Signed — original pdf

Recommendation

BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: (20240327-009): Gus Garcia Recreation Center Temporary Expansion Space WHEREAS, the Joint Inclusion Committee (“JIC”) of the City of Austin (“City”) serves as an advisory body that advocates for and inspires the City Council (“Council”) and City Manager on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion to promote close cooperation between Council, City Management, City boards, commissions, committees, and task forces, and individuals, institutions, and agencies to increase and sustain equity, diversity, and inclusion in the city; and WHEREAS, persons aged 65 and older represent the fastest-growing age group in Austin, expanding from 55,695 (7.0% of 2010 population) to 91,733 (9.5% of 2020 population), and growing at a rate of 64.7%; and WHEREAS, the Asian American population was the fastest-growing race/ethnicity group among the Austin older population. The Asian American older population more than doubled from 2,051 in 2010 to 4,829 in 2020; and WHEREAS, the Gus Garcia Recreation Center currently serves a large percentage of Asian American older adults, aged 65 and older; and WHEREAS, 20231 participants at of all ages have increased significantly at the Gus Garcia Recreation Center over pre-pandemic levels: • Youth Programs 107%+ over 2019 levels • Teen Programs 433%+ over 2019 levels • Adult Programs 612% over 2019 levels • Older Adult Programs 295% over 2019 levels; and WHEREAS, the physical space at the Gus Garcia Recreation Center is filled to capacity, with classes frequently having to occur in the lobby or programs being cancelled; and 1 These are incomplete counts for 2023 program participants at the Gus Garcia Recreation Center. WHEREAS, due to space limitations, the older adult activities are severely curtailed during the months when the Summer Youth Programs are in operation, preventing expansion of adult and older adult programs that enrich the lives of adults and older adults; and WHEREAS, PARD is recommending expansion of the Gus Garcia Recreation Center to accommodate the vibrant and ethnically diverse older adult community that currently utilize the location; and WHEREAS, any permanent expansion will require a bond issue, which will likely delay opening of an expanded facility until 2028 at best. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee encourages the Austin City Council to allocate $30,000 annually for a 12’ x 60’ temporary space at the Gus Garcia Recreation Center to continue to encourage the participation of the diverse older adult community at that location. Date of Approval: March 27, 2024 Record of the vote: 8-0, Commissioners Vargas and Gordon (ECC), Commissioners Davis and Aslam (Human Rights) absent Attest: _____________________________________________ Vice-Chair