MISSION VIEJO : No Operators Surface for Recreation Centers

The City Council has hit a snag in finding organizations willing to operate and take financial control of the city’s four recreation centers.

Failing so far to find interested parties, the council this week approved an 18-month contract extension for Sports Leisure Group, which runs two of the centers.

With recreation-oriented groups such as the YMCA and Boy Scouts of America showing little enthusiasm in the remaining two centers, the council also authorized lease proposals to be sent to any other interested parties.

“This will basically just buy us some time,” City Councilwoman Sharon Cody said.

Last month, the council agreed to lease the largest recreation center, on Marguerite Parkway, to the YMCA. The smallest facility, the Sierra Recreation Center, was closed earlier this year.

The city had sold about 2,200 memberships in the recreation centers, serving about 5,000 residents. Fees average about $40 per month, with no initiation costs. The four recreation centers contain facilities for swimming, tennis, basketball and weight lifting.

With only two of the four centers left under city control, city officials acknowledged that membership rates probably will be lowered to perhaps $20 per month.

Faced with annual revenue shortfalls of up to $1 million for running the centers, the council decided earlier this year to lease the facilities.