Supporters of Arlington youth gymnastics turned out last night (Tuesday) to press county leaders on planned cuts to local programs.
A $1.7 billion budget proposal from County Manager Mark Schwartz calls for shuttering the Arlington Aerials and Arlington Tigers, along with community gymnastics programs, at Barcroft Sports & Fitness Center. The programs, operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation, do not recoup costs through user fees, Schwartz and staff have said.
For those with family members in the program, the proposal came out of the blue. They argue that it undervalues the importance of the gymnastics programs to local youth.
“It is a community. It is a discipline. It is health. It is belonging,” Malika Mirkhanova said. “It builds strength, both physical and emotional.”
Others criticized Schwartz for making the proposal without consulting the community about ways to save gymnastics in Arlington.
“There are untapped ideas and creativity and initiatives at the front-line staff level that could help,” said Mike Rosenberger.
Still others criticized Schwartz for suggesting there are available alternatives locally. Meredith Wearing said comparable programs either have lengthy wait lists or are far away.
“For children in the adaptive programs, there are zero alternatives,” Wearing said. “You are telling these families, ‘you are on your own.'”
Gymnastics supporters may also work to rally those in other youth sports in a united front against cuts. Caught between the manager’s proposal on one side and irate community members on the other, Board members attempted to calm the waters and allow the issue to play out through the budget season.
“I know first-hand what it’s like to be a parent and count on these types of programs,” Board member Julius “JD” Spain, Sr., said.
Schwartz said more details on the rationale would be fleshed out next week in a budget work session focused on the Department of Parks and Recreation.
“We will address all the points that have been raised by the public,” he said. “We welcome additional input from the community.”
Advocates for gymnastics programming plan to turn up in force at the county’s March 24 budget hearing — seeking to sway final action by Board members when the budget is adopted in April.
Cunningham said that in addition to those who attended last night’s meeting, Board members have heard from “many, many, many others” expressing concerns.
“It’s really raw right now,” Cunningham said, suggesting Board members were not ready to commit one way or the other to the proposal.
“We’ll be learning more as we go,” she said.
As for considering alternatives? “We haven’t had an opportunity to pursue it in full just yet,” Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said.
But, he added, “we hear you.”
Emily Leayman contributed to this article
