All Dallas recreation centers will be closed Friday.
Dallas’ rolling furlough closures reach city recreation centers Friday, marking the latest service disruption as officials look to save millions and close a budget shortfall.
The one-day closure comes weeks after Dallas implemented its first round of furloughs, which temporarily closed City Hall and libraries while essential services remained in operation.
The closure is part of a broader cost-cutting effort to address a budget shortfall of about $30 million. The gap has been attributed to weaker-than-expected sales tax revenue, rising health care costs and increased overtime spending.
City officials have also implemented a hiring freeze, reduced discretionary spending and limited nonessential overtime as they work to balance the budget without cutting core services.
The recreation center furloughs were delayed to August to avoid disrupting one of its busiest periods of the summer. By delaying the closure, recreation centers were able to stay open during peak attendance for summer camps and youth programs while still meeting the city’s furlough requirements.
Only recreation centers will be affected on Friday. Aquatic facilities, including city pools, along with Park and Recreation administrative offices and maintenance facilities, will remain open and operate on their normal schedules.
Rather than furloughing all city employees on the same day, Dallas is staggering closures across departments to reduce disruptions for residents. Police, fire, sanitation and other essential public safety services are continuing to operate without interruption.
Recreation centers are expected to resume normal operating schedules Saturday.
City employees will also be furloughed on Sept. 4 and Sept. 28.