Ogden debates future of Marshall White Center

OGDEN — The Ogden City Council is still left with questions about the future of the Marshall White Community Center.

Council members held a public meeting Thursday to take comments from the city administration and the public about their desires for how the center should be used.

The Ogden Weber Community Action Partnership has signed a contract with the city stating its willingness to take over management of the Marshall White Center in July.

OWCAP currently runs various programs and services aimed at the children of low-income households, including Head Start, literacy, immunizations, health, dental and nutrition programs.

The proposal has upset Ogden residents who use the center. They have said they're concerned they'll lose what they consider to be a gem in the community, a place where children can be off the streets and where seniors can get exercise.

Residents complained to the council Thursday that the center needs to be fully funded by the city. They cited faulty boilers, a shoestring budget and pool repairs that appear to have been put off. They have feared the pool at Marshall White will be closed.

But John Patterson, Ogden's chief administrative officer, told the council that OWCAP has pledged to keep the pool open and maintain current programs.

Patterson said the budget for the center used to be $650,000 or more and has shrunk to $350,000 today.

"I do know there has been a lot of belt-tightening at the Marshall White Center," he said. "But frankly it's been throughout the city."

And OWCAP has a good chance of getting future grants through federal stimulus funds to make improvements to the center, Patterson said.

But Councilwoman Amy Wicks said she still has concerns what will happen when federal funds dry up.

Patterson said he takes the responsibility for what he called the center's poor performance to date, but added that the center's foundation has never secured grants for its operations and doesn't have a functioning board.

Originally, Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey's proposed budget for fiscal 2010 included plans for the city to stop funding the Marshall White Center in July, but the proposal was later changed to allow OWCAP to take over the center's management in July and to begin leasing the building by January for $10,000 a year.

The council has final say over the budget and will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 2549 Washington Blvd. The budget must be approved by June 22.

Godfrey, who didn't attend the work meeting, has said he believes a contract between the city and OWCAP will enhance the mission and services provided by the center, which currently provides senior activities, recreation programs, swimming, boxing, cultural events and Head Start to Ogden residents.

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