Larson Rec Center supporters work to save Rec Center

MOSES LAKE - Supporters of the Larson Rec Center are raising funds and support in an attempt to save the Rec Center.

On Oct. 14, the Moses Lake City Council decided to close the facility because the city would not receive $1.3 million in property taxes from REC Silicon. The closing of the Rec Center will save the city about $125,000, according to city manager Joseph Gavinski.

The Rec Center closing includes the ice rink, BMX park and center itself.

As a result, supporters of the Rec Center are raising funds to reopen the center to the public.

Leading the push is Moses Lake Youth Hockey Association President Ty Howard, who said on Saturday supporters started going around the city asking residents to sign a pledge to keep the Rec Center open and donate money.

Howard estimated volunteers collected more than $10,000 in the past few days.

Howard has coached hockey at the ice rink for nearly seven years. He said the kids who use the ice rink were devastated when they heard about the closure.

Almost 100 kids in the youth hockey association have to go to other places if they want to continue playing hockey.

Nearly 40 adults who use the hockey rink are left without a place to play the sport they love.

Howard said the supporters and fundraisers have two main options they are pursuing to keep the Rec Center open.

"Our main goal would be to reach an agreement with the city to where we could hopefully lease the rink from them and then basically let us run it. Then the city does not have to lose money on it, we can run it at our own risk," said Howard.

Howard said he does not know how much the leasing option would be. The second option would be to raise the $125,000 needed for the city to keep the Rec Center open.

He said he understands the reason behind the city closing the Rec Center and the closure was not something the city foresaw.

Howard encouraged community members to attend Tuesday's city council meeting to support the effort to keep the Rec Center open.

All funds raised will go toward saving the entire Rec Center, the ice rink, BMX park and building.

For more information, email Howard at mlyha.president@hotmail.com.