Yakima City Looks to Community Partners to Keep Recreation Centers Open

The city of Yakima is looking for help from community organizations to operate two popular facilities. The Washington Fruit Community Center and the Harman Center, both popular spots in Yakima, faced potential closure last year. However, city officials stepped in to keep them open through interim funding measures.

THE COUNCIL FOUND FUNDING TO KEEP THE CENTERS OPEN FOR NOW

The Yakima City Council decided to use one-time reserve funds to keep the Harman Center open through the end of this year. One-time funding is also being used to keep the Washington Fruit Community Center operational until June. Looking ahead, city officials are now exploring partnerships with local organizations to take over management and operation of the facilities.

READ MORE: PLAYGROUND BURNED TO BE REPLACED IN YAKIMA

GET THAT LETTER TOGETHER

Yakima city officials are looking for organizations interested in managing the centers are invited to submit Letters of Interest. The letters are a first step before a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process.

NO COMMITMENTS NO PROMISES

City officials say submitting a Letter of Interest doesn't commit organizations to submit a full proposal, nor does it guarantee a contract award.
The deadline for Letters of Interest is 2:00 pm on March 25. Interested? Send submissions to:
Yakima City Clerk’s Office129 N. Second St.Yakima, WA 98901
For more information, contact Parks & Recreation Manager Ken Wilkinson at 509-576-6416 or via email at Ken.Wilkinson@YakimaWA.gov.

PUSHING TO KEEP THE CENTERS OPEN

City officials hope community organizations will step forward to help operate the centers to serve Yakima residents for years to come.