Councilors prioritized reviving Sunnyside’s community center and swimming pool as a near-term quality‑of‑life goal and said the city should pursue external partners to reduce the cost burden on the general fund.

At the workshop, council members described the city-owned community center as an underused asset and raised the Boys & Girls Club as a likely partner. One councilor said the Prosser Boys & Girls Club model showed the potential for a steady after‑school program that reduces youth risk and supports families.

Why it matters: Recreation programs and the pool are funded largely from the city’s general fund and are vulnerable during budget shortfalls. Councilors argued that building partnerships and sponsorships would reduce the yearly cost to the city and make programming more sustainable.

Details from the meeting: Speakers noted the community center was built with a block grant and initially run by a local provider only briefly; maintenance and staffing have since fallen to the city. The council discussed asking a committee to pursue donors, sponsors and partners and suggested the Boys & Girls Club and regional church volunteer groups as prospects. “We have a building that they can utilize day 1,” a councilor said of the Boys & Girls Club opportunity.

A variety of funding options were mentioned: LTAC set‑asides for long-term projects, community donations and sponsorships, and phased partnership agreements that reduce the city’s operating cost. Councilors emphasized a single coordinating entity or “umbrella” to manage volunteers and partners.

What was not decided: Council did not authorize a contract, funding appropriation, or formal partnership. Staff was asked to explore options, report back on potential partners and outline any funding requests for inclusion in the budget process.

Ending: Councilors asked staff to map potential partners and present next steps tied to the budget calendar so decisions could be made before the next recreation season.