Meeting June 8 on Fate of Hillsborough's After-School Recreation Programs

A proposal to eliminate the after-school care programs at local recreation centers will be discussed tonight, June 8, at a meeting in Brandon.

The meeting is set for 6-7 p.m. at the Brandon Recreation Center, 502 East Sadie St. It’s the last in a series of meetings held across the county seeking public input on the proposed changes to the after-school program offered by the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department.

The recommendation eliminating after-school care at recreation centers was developed last year by The Roundtable to Plan Services for the Children of Hillsborough County.

The recommendation – which can be viewed online - is an effort “to maximize the county’s financial and staffing resources, take full advantage of the community resources already providing out-of-school time activities, and increase the number of children able to participate in after-school programs due to financial assistance,” according to a county release.

“The county has seen fewer and fewer families signing up for after-school programs,” said Kemly Green, a county spokesperson. “The roundtable is suggesting the county stop the after-school program and instead use a voucher system.”

In addition to providing comment on the recommendations, those attending these meetings will learn how to apply for financial assistance and what to look for in quality after-school or summer programs.

In addition to eliminating after-school programs, the county parks and recreation department is also recommending closing recreation centers and outsourcing park and athletic field maintenance as part of a strategic plan for saving money.

A meeting seeking public input on those proposals is set for June 9 at the Brandon Recreation Center and June 22 at 11020 Park Drive in Riverview. The strategic plan can be viewed online. A PowerPoint presentation detailing the plan also is available online.

 For more information, call 813-635-8110.