Free use of facilities is questioned

GLENDALE — The school district needs to get something in return for letting the city use its facilities for free, Board of Education members said Tuesday.

"We truly enjoy sharing the use of facilities and resources with the city…. but the problem is, they're using our facilities at no charge then charging us for utilities," said board president Greg Krikorian. "That doesn't make sense to me."

Getting utilities credits or special energy rates for school facilities are some options the district should explore, Krikorian said.

Non-profit organizations, community groups and the city of Glendale are among the groups that use school facilities. Most groups are charged for using a school site anywhere from $10 to $50 per hour, but the city uses its facilities for free, Krikorian said.

And while the city profits from fees it charges sports organizations to play at district facilities, the district is the one footing the utilities bill, Krikorian said. Basically, the city is having its cake and eating it too, he said.

The city uses a variety of school facilities — including Hoover High's gym for open-play badminton and volleyball. But board members' fiscal discomfort lies mainly with adult basketball — which is played at Clark Magnet High, Crescenta Valley High and the Pacific Community Center three nights per week.

Parks, Recreation and Community Services Dept., which runs the basketball league, charges $265 per team for one season, said Gabrielle Winter, the department's community services supervisor. There are three seasons in one year where teams play one practice game and 10 league games in each season, she said. Top teams also go onto a championship game at the end of the season.

About 120 teams signed up for the entire 2005 calendar year, Winter said — a figure that can generate a lot of revenue.

But after costs, Parks, Recreation and Community Services nets just $6,000 a year from the basketball fees — a small amount compared to its total budget, said Director George Chapjian.

"Really, what we make is nominal and we put it back into recreation programs," Chapjian said.

A utilities credits agreement would ultimately make Parks, Recreation and Community Services the department paying for energy for the mostly evening league games, Chapjian said. And he is open for discussion with the district, he said.