Changes are coming to Seattle's community centers | Parents & kids

The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department says despite tough economic times its found a way to keep all of the city's community centers open next year.

Under instruction by the city council, Parks and Rec spent 2011 meeting with key stakeholders and staff to come up with a new system for operating community centers.

More than two dozen community meetings were held throughout the year and from them, the Community Center Advisory Team developed what they call a new 'tiered system' for running community centers.

Under the new system, Parks and Rec says operating budgets will be reduced while still providing key programs.

Starting in January, the city's community centers will be grouped into five geographic areas, each including five centers. This will allow Parks and Rec to manage and provide 'coordinated' programs among the centers.

Parks and Rec says the new operating system will save more $1.23 million in next year's budget.

The center's new operating hours can be found online.

Each of the centers are outlined below according to their new tiers by Parks and Rec:

Southeast Tier Community Centers

• Jefferson
• Rainier
• International District/Chinatown
• Van Asselt
• Rainier Beach (closed for renovation in 2012)

Southwest Tier Community Centers

will be relocated to this center in 2012.)

• High Point
• Delridge
• Hiawatha
• South Park
• Alki
• (Southwest is now a Teen Life Center only; the Southwest Department of Neighborhoods Service Center

Central Tier Community Centers

• Garfield
• Montlake
• Queen Anne
• Yesler
• Miller

Northeast Tier Community Centers

• Meadowbrook
• Northgate
• Ravenna-Eckstein
• Laurelhurst
• Magnuson

Northwest Tier Community Centers

• Bitter Lake
• Loyal Heights
• Green Lake
• Ballard
• Magnolia

Parks and Rec also adjusted the hours for Teen Life Centers and Late Night Programs for next year.