Debate Over Community Center

By Samantha Andersons.Anderson@krdo.comFollow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SamEAnderson

COLORADO SPRINGS – Controversy is brewing around a local church stepping up to save the Westside Community Center.

Three months ago, city council asked the community to help keep recreation centers open in the city. Four centers, including Westside, were on the chopping block because of budget cuts. “It’s not an ideal situation, it’s sad the city has to resort to this at the same time I’m proud people are stepping up to take challenge,” said Councilman Sean Paige.

Woodman Valley Chapel has offered to take over operations at Westside. But there are some concerns over whether or not the church will try and bring religion into the center. “There is concerns, but when you think the alternative is closing, we shouldn’t nit pick too much, Paige said.

According to Paige, other organizations in the city, including Silver Key and Peak Vista, are also partnering with the church to take over Westside.

“This church is not going to be doing religious activity at the center,” stated Paige. “They’re not going to turn it into a church, they’ve got their own church.”

Council members will spend the next couple weeks looking at the details of partnership arraignments and will likely make a final decision the beginning of June.