Hundreds pack Juneau Assembly meeting to oppose recreation facility cuts

Hundreds of Juneau residents packed a special Assembly meeting Tuesday night to oppose proposed budget cuts that would close or reduce hours at recreation facilities across the city. Testimony stretched for hours as families warned the cuts would force them to leave town.

The City and Borough of Juneau faces a $10 million to $12 million recurring budget shortfall for fiscal year 2027. The gap stems from voter-approved sales tax exemptions and a property tax mill rate cap passed last fall. City Manager Katie Koester's proposed budget includes potential closures or reduced hours at Augustus Brown Pool, Dimond Park Aquatic Center, Dimond Park Field House, Treadwell Ice Arena, and Eagle Crest Ski Area.

Mayor Beth Weldon opened the meeting by acknowledging the difficult decisions ahead. "I know that people were not pleasantly surprised with the list of priorities that we marked for reductions," Weldon said. "Be advised, this is just a list that we're going to talk about. It does not mean that things are going to come off of that list."

Residents said the facilities are essential infrastructure, not luxuries. One speaker noted the city faces a serious budget gap reinforced by voter-approved tax exemptions and the mill rate cap. But residents are being forced to accept cuts to core family services while carrying frustration over costly projects they did not vote for. "The city faces a serious budget gap, a recurring shortfall reinforced by voter-approved tax exemptions and the mill rate cap," the speaker said. "But you have to understand, residents are being forced to accept the blame and cuts to core family services while carrying the frustration of costly projects that we did not vote for and are not our community priorities."

Swimmers, parents, and coaches said both pools are already operating at capacity. Glacier Swim Club serves roughly 300 fourth-graders annually through a learn-to-swim program. Waitlists are as long as class sizes for swim registration. A 2016 McKinley Research Group survey identified massive demand for Juneau pools, which sometimes exceeded 120,000 uses per year, according to testimony.

Many speakers pointed to water safety as a critical need in a coastal community. Alaska has the highest drowning rate of any state in the nation, roughly six to seven times the national average, according to testimony from a former Glacier Swim Club board member. "Drowning prevention," the speaker said, listing public health and safety advantages to having enough pool capacity.

Families described the pools as essential to mental and physical health, especially during Juneau's long, dark winters. One mother said the pools, field house, and other facilities are what make Juneau affordable for her family. "These facilities are what make Juneau affordable for me to live here and for us to get to do the things we enjoy and have these experiences," she said.