During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the future of the Hillbarn Theatre and the upcoming Foster City Recreation Center project, highlighting community engagement and budget considerations.

Steve, the theatre director, emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong presence in Foster City, noting that a third of their patrons come from the area. He expressed a desire to keep the theatre's operations local, despite challenges in securing rental spaces for rehearsals due to limited availability and high demand. The theatre has been adapting by utilizing community rooms and schools, although scheduling conflicts have arisen.

Craig Cordon, a board member and former police chief, praised the theatre's resilience and quality of productions over the years, crediting past directors for their contributions. He acknowledged ongoing financial challenges but expressed confidence in the current leadership's vision.

The meeting also addressed the impending closure of the current recreation center on September 16, with plans to transition operations to modular buildings. City officials are preparing for a special council meeting on August 14 to discuss strategies for addressing a structural budget deficit, with the recreation center's future likely to be a key topic. Bids for the new center are expected to be opened on August 8, and a contract will be presented to the council on September 3.

Council members urged community involvement, stressing the importance of public feedback regarding the recreation center project. They highlighted that the community's support is crucial for moving forward, especially given the significant financial investment already made in the project.

Additionally, the city is launching a parks master plan, with community engagement efforts set to begin this month. The plan aims to gather public input on future park developments and will include various outreach activities, including pop-up events at local gatherings.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to fostering community arts and recreation while navigating financial constraints and seeking public support for future initiatives.