Dozens rally in support of St. Johns Community Center at risk of closing
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Demonstrators gathered outside the St. Johns Community Center in North Portland Tuesday night to advocate for keeping it open amid city budget cuts.
The City of Portland is currently dealing with a $93 million budget deficit. As a result, city leaders are considering closing three community centers in St. Johns, Montavilla and Peninsula Park.
During the rally to keep the St. Johns Community Center open, which kicked off at 6 p.m., people said it's a lifeline for the underserved, parents and seniors.
"We use the community center on a weekly basis, multiple times through the week," said Lacey Harworth.
Lacey and her husband Joseph Harworth and their young family are regulars at the St. Johns Community Center and hope to keep using it.
"I'd be devastated. It's such a central part of our community," Joseph said. "It'd be a real shame to see it go away."
Dozens of people attended the rally, hoping to send the message to Portland city councilors to save the community center and the two others at risk of closing.
"It's really hard to imagine that the three small community centers they've chosen all happen to be on this side of town, and all happen to have the same type of demographics," said Bill Righter, a concerned community member and organizer of the event.
District 2 city councilors were also on the invite list for the St. Johns Community Center rally. None of them showed. However, Councilor Dan Ryan released a video message online hours before the event, where he said in part:
"We must do everything we can to keep this operating for years to come."
Councilor Sameer Kanal also sent a statement to KOIN 6 News saying he opposes the closure and will fight to ensure the area community centers stay open:
“Portlanders need safe, active spaces for recreation, after-school programs and community-building. I oppose closing St. Johns Community Center or any other community centers, and I will fight to ensure they aren’t on the chopping block in this budget.”
Righter's message to city leaders echoed the sentiments of many others at the rally.
"We voted for you. You walked through the streets of St. Johns saying you were going to support our community, and we're asking you to stand behind that promise and help our community," he said.
Organizers are asking community members to show up to the District 2 Budget Listening Session this Thursday at 6 p.m.
The City of Portland has more information about Thursday's listening session, including how to participate and watch it live.