BROWNSBURG — To the world, Dec. 31 marked the end of 2009 and the beginning of a brand new year, full of hope and promise.

But for the Parks and Recreation Department here, it was a bittersweet day. The Community and Recreation Center, housed in the old Lincoln Elementary School building, closed at 5 p.m. Dec. 31 for the very last time.

The parks department decided in February that the center would have to close by the end of the year, due to a lack of funds to keep the center in operation while still supporting the other parks in the town.

Brownsburg Community School Corporation leased the building to the parks department in 2005 and plans to proceed with a non-operation mothballing of the facility — basically turning off all power and utilities and removing most of the interior — when they take the lease back over on March 1.

“For our staff, as well as for our residents, it’s a painful reality,” Parks and Recreation Department Director Phil Parnin said. “An unfortunate situation to which we are managing what we have to the best of our abilities. The decision to close was made in order to be fiscally prudent for property tax reform.”

Parnin said a community center is something that is wanted by the department and the residents and is one of the points on their master plan.

“The recreation center was one of the top five items on our master plan, but as for the timeline, we have no true idea,” he said. “We’re working on our business plan in 2010, and will hopefully support the five big rocks of our master plan. Right now is a really good time for us to take stock in what we have and start looking forward to the future. Plan now, so we can hit the ground running when things turn around.”

Bruce Comer of Brownsburg was in the workout room of the community center, squeezing in a last workout before the center closed.

“One final workout,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed coming out here the last few years, to work out and to use the gym. Now I’ve gotta look for a new place.”

More than just finding a new facility to work out in, Comer said he needs to find a place where he can also get his children involved in learning about exercising.

“It was never really too crowded, and there was access to a gymnasium, and my kids all came here too,” he said. “I wish more people had taken advantage of it. I’ll look around here in town. There are a few places, but they don’t have the gymnasium.”

Comer said he hoped to someday see a facility in Brownsburg similar to the community facility in Plainfield.

“I know the Y(MCA) is coming in a few years, but you have to drive so far,” he said. “This was convenient. I don’t know how many birthday parties my kids have come to here.”

Parnin said the workout equipment and other office materials will be emptied from the building.

“Some equipment will be stored, some will be put into auction, and some will be donated to the police or fire departments, along those lines,” he said. “Other departments are able to utilize some of (the items). We’ve given $50,000 worth of inventory to other departments, but things that would be utilized in a home or business, we’ll try to get some revenue back from those.”

Parnin said there are still programs and special events scheduled for the new year that will be held in other locations in the community and the department looks forward to seeing participants at those programs.

“It’s been a pleasure for our staff to serve the community in this capacity over the past five years and we’re grateful to those who have expressed their feelings about closing and we appreciate the understanding and continued support,” he said. “We hope that our community will take an active role in shaping the future of the parks department for years to come.”

On Dec. 31, the staff was busy relocating the department’s offices to the second floor of the Town Hall at 61 N. Green St. The department’s hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, beginning Jan. 4.

To contact the Parks and Recreation Department, call 852-4172 or visit the website at www.brownsburg.org.



charlee.beasor@flyergroup.com