It's a growing trend: A government cuts the parks and recreation budget - then asks non-profits to find money and volunteers to fill in the gaps. Sacramento County is trying the concept out with the Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Carmichael. Now, the city hopes to find organizations to manage four community centers - after closing a $43 million budget gap in June.

Sylvia Fort with Sacramento's Parks and Rec department says under the program, non-profits could expand their services.

 

Fort: "They would be able to, for example, deliver maybe a summer program for youth and teens. Enhance service delivery to the older adult population. Tutoring for kids. Reading programs for kids."

 

Proposals are due in early September. Fort says the community centers will close November 1st if the city can't find non-profit operators.

The centers are:
Southside Clubhouse in downtown
Robertson Community Center in North Sacramento
Elmo Allen Slider Clubhouse in South Sacramento
George Sim Community Center in South Sacramento (two rooms only)