Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson’s plan to turn community recreation centers into emergency homeless shelters is rubbing some people the wrong way.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -
The administration says the Fairview and Spenard Rec Centers provide the most practical options to get people housed quickly and be able to provide meals, showers, and bathrooms. But some who use the centers are urging the administration to look elsewhere. Kathleen Grace plays pickleball at the Spenard Rec Center and says the facility is well-used by the community.
The rec centers, they say, provide a vital service for local neighborhoods and, in some cases, the whole city. That includes the first indoor accessible playground thatin March. They’re the types of amenities some don’t want to lose, especially during the winter. But the approaching winter is a central part of the problem. Beans Café and Children’s Lunchbox Director Lisa Sauder understands the difficulty of attempting to find housing for over 300 homeless Anchorage residents.
“But it worked out well, and it did provide a safe, warm place for people to be 24 hours a day,” Sauder said. The administration said the rec centers will open as emergency shelters on Sept. 29. Transportation will be provided from the Centennial Campground for those who wish to go. The low barrier shelters will be open 24 hours a day and can house up to 150 people at each location.
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