Pandemic takes a personal toll

GUEST OPINION /// Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center



I am often asked some variation of: “What are the most challenging aspects of being an elected public official?”

It is not an easy question to answer, because for the most part holding elective office is a highly rewarding experience.

Today, however, I would not have much trouble responding. For today, financial constraints are forcing us to lay off the last remaining employee at the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center.

The community center is owned and operated by the cities of Calabasas and Agoura Hills through a joint powers authority.

In 1994, Los Angeles County deeded a then-empty parcel of land to the two cities for the purpose of building a recreational facility. With considerable assistance from an infusion of grant monies, construction on the center began in 1997. Development was completed in 1999, and on Dec. 11 of that year the facility opened its doors to the public.

I consider the community center to be one of the crown jewels of our city. To this day it remains the largest indoor municipal facility in Calabasas. Over the years, area residents have used the community center regularly for a wide range of activities. And we have hosted innumerable special events there, sometimes drawing crowds of more than 1,000 people at a time.

When the long shadow of COVID-19 descended upon us, we were obliged to close the building on March 14, 2020. At first, we were hopeful that the crisis would subside quickly. Unfortunately, such was not to be. Unlike many other public entities, the center was unable to draw upon outside sources of income or revenue.

As weeks stretched to months, the center’s reserves slowly sloughed away. Faced with no other viable option, we gradually laid off our wonderful employees, some of whom had worked there for many years. These loyal employees had performed exemplary service, and it was painful to let them go. Which brings us to the present.

Today, we lose our executive director—the very last employee at the community center— because our reserves are nearly depleted.

The center remains closed; for the time being its basic needs will be overseen by staff members lent by Calabasas and Agoura Hills.

I am sorry to relay such depressing news, but I feel it important to highlight yet another tremendous toll the coronavirus pandemic has taken on our society.

Meanwhile, the two cities are doing their level best to save the community center. I truly hope we can find a path to reopening later this year.