Relative to the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center
The bill specifies the delineation between 'public' and 'nonpublic' uses of the facility. Public purposes include engagements like high school track programs, community activities, and access for the college’s academic population. Nonpublic uses, which can include commercial activities, are permitted when the facility is not in use for public purposes. This dual-use policy is aimed at maximizing the center's utility while ensuring it remains primarily a community asset.
House Bill 1291 proposes modifications related to the operation and management of the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center located at Roxbury Community College. The bill aims to ensure that the center remains accessible for public use, particularly by students, faculty, and staff of Roxbury Community College as well as members of the surrounding residential community. It establishes provisions for the responsible management of the center through a board of trustees associated with the college.
Notably, the legislation mandates that the center be available at no cost to public high school programs and for college use, whereas commercial entities will be charged user fees. This approach is intended to balance public access with the potential revenue generation from nonpublic use. There may be contention regarding how fees are determined, how priority is set for scheduling uses, and whether the balance between public good and potential profit from commercial usage is adequately maintained.