Community Center is a public, not private venture

The Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center opened in 1999 amid much fanfare from the residents and politicians. With its high-tech rock climbing wall, spacious interior and sleek construction, the 30,000-square-foot facility was state-of-the-art, and still is.

The cities of Agoura Hills and Calabasas were applauded for their spirit of cooperation and ability to accomplish what they and the city of Westlake Village had been unable to do with the building of a regional library. Instead of one library serving the Las Virgenes region, today there are three, one in each city. The competition among the libraries and the duplication of taxpayer spending still rankles many.

The Community Center, on the other hand, remains a shining example of cross-jurisdictional collaboration. People come from throughout the area to use the facilities but, as a whole, the meeting rooms, workout center and gymnasium haven't been able to pay for themselves and as a result there are some local leaders who are questioning what the future of the Community Center should be. Currently it's in the red.

Perhaps the center's ability make money was overstated from the get-go. Without locker rooms, showers and spa facilities, the Community Center simply can't compete with the full-fledged commercial health clubs. But public facilities such as parks, pools, tennis courts and ball fields aren't supposed to be profit centers. The Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center, which was bought by the city a decade ago from a cash-strapped private owner, is an exception to the rule. The popular club, while open to the public, operates on a sound financial footing, but it's doubtful the Community Center can do the same unless fees are soon raised and other facilities are added. We think the Community Center is fine the way it is. Many of its users can't afford private health club prices.

Today, inside the gymnasium, the ball is in the cities' court. Agoura Hills and Calabasas should use their ample financial reserves to make up the shortfall at the Community Center. The taxpayers paid good money to build this fine facility and they deserve to have it running smoothly.