South Bend Community seeking support for recreation centers

SOUTH BEND, Ind.--- South Bend residents are continuing to show support for the Charles Black and Martin Luther King Jr. Recreational Centers after South Bend Venues Parks and Arts proposed funding cuts in August. The cuts are a result of the $15.5 million deficit South Bend is facing the 2021 fiscal year.

“People are already complaining about crime so where would these teenagers go if not for the center?” asked Katina Seafoss, a resident. “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.”

Supporters of the recreational centers point to the good work they do with literacy and computer classes as some of the reasons they should be seen as assets to the community.

“The more funding that goes into community centers the more people will use it and they need more advertising of what’s going on here,” said Pete Swanson another resident.

Seafoss believes agrees that more funding should go to the centers but also says the community also needs to step up to keep the centers thriving.

“If the community is complaining about the funding then come out,” said Seafoss. “Help.”