MISSION VIEJO : Opinions Sought on Recreation Centers

Since acquiring four recreation centers from the Mission Viejo Co. last year for about $3.1 million, city staff has been trying to figure out exactly how to run the facilities.

On June 16, residents will have a chance to give their opinions on how the centers should be operated. A 6:30 p.m. public meeting on the centers will be held at City Hall, 26522 La Alameda.

The recreation complexes offer a range of activities, from tennis to swimming, and city officials are working on issues such as setting a user fee or whether the city should let a private firm handle the centers.

With the help of a consulting firm, recreation staff has developed several options that will be presented at the meeting.

The recreation centers were acquired last year when the city traded an office complex on Chrisanta Drive worth about $3.1 million to the Mission Viejo Co. in return for four recreation complexes valued by a city-paid land appraiser at about $11 million.

Hoping to attract home buyers, the Mission Viejo Co. had operated the sports and exercise facilities since the 1970s as part of a recreation package that includes Lake Mission Viejo.

With the planned community about 95% complete, the development firm had long been interested in selling the recreation centers. At public hearings last year, hundreds of residents asked the council to acquire the facilities, rather than have them sold to a private company.