Beginning July 1, 2026, all four community centers will adjust their operating hours as part of a districtwide effort to address a budget deficit. We appreciate your patience as we make this transition and look forward to seeing you at the center. For questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to staff.

The new operating hours at each center will be:

Center at Norpoint
Monday – Thursday: 5:30 am- 8:00 pm
Friday: 5:30 am- 7:00 pm
Saturday – 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday – Closed

Eastside Community Center
Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday – 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Sunday – Closed

Peoples Center
Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday – 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday – Closed

STAR Center
Monday – Friday: 9:00 am-8:00 pm
Saturday – 9:00 am-2:00 pm
Sunday – Closed

What change is being made at each center?

• Eastside will open one hour later Monday-Friday, will close one hour early on Saturday, and will be fully closed on Sunday.
• Norpoint will close one hour early on Saturday and will be fully closed on Sundays.
• People’s will open one hour later and close one hour early Monday-Friday, will close three hours early on Saturday, and will be fully closed on Sunday.
• STAR Center will open at 9 am instead of 6 am Monday-Friday, will close two hours early on Saturday, and will be fully closed on Sundays.

Why are the hours changing?

Parks Tacoma is facing a significant structural budget shortfall. Some immediate operational changes have already been made to reduce costs while preserving core services and revenue-generating programs. As part of this effort, community centers will adjust their operating hours beginning July 1, 2026.

How will this affect pool users?

We acknowledge that the pool closures on Sunday and the change in early morning hours on weekdays may be inconvenient for pool users. Updated pool schedules for July are posted below to help members plan for alternative times to swim.

• Eastside Pool Schedule
• Norpoint Pool Schedule
• People’s Pool Schedule

What is the benefit of closing on Sundays?

Maintaining a high level of service is our priority. Closing all centers on Sunday will allow us to use our staff in a fiscally responsible manner to provide quality customer service, have a safe facility, and provide center amenities during peak operational hours.

What activities will be held on Sundays during the closure?

• Birthday parties can still be scheduled on Sundays in Treetops Playgrounds at STAR Center at an exclusive rate, for exclusive use of the playground.
• Building rentals will not be impacted by the closure. Churches and other community or private groups who reserve rooms within the facilities will continue to be held as usual. Rentals will be staffed by Parks Tacoma rental monitors.

How are programs and services impacted by the change in hours?

• Senior Hubs operate from 8 am-2 pm Monday-Friday and will not see a decrease or change in services.
• Fitness Classes at Norpoint, People’s and Eastside are already scheduled to occur within the new operating schedule and will not be affected.
• Some fitness classes at STAR Center begin at 8:45 am. Those will be adjusted to begin at 9:00 am after July 1, 2026.
• Teen Centers will not be affected by the schedule changes.
• Treetops Playgrounds Family Play at STAR Center will no longer be available on Sunday.
• Sunday open gym at Eastside Community Center will no longer be offered, open gym basketball will be held Saturday from 9 am-3 pm.
• Indoor Pools:
  • All indoors pools will be closed on Sundays. Pool users are encouraged to visit our two outdoor pools for recreational swimming or plan to swim on other days of the week at the indoor pools.
  • Lap swim at Eastside and People’s Pools will be available Monday through Friday starting at 8 am instead of 7 am.
  • Norpoint swim lessons will be extended to 4-7:30 pm and People’s swim lessons will be extended to 4-6:30 pm on weekday nights to help us serve more students.
  • Norpoint Adult Spa will experience a change in hours, closing early on Saturday and being closed all day on Sunday.
  • At People’s Pool the Adaptive and Specialized Swim will not be impacted by the change in hours, however, in July it will run on the 2nd Saturday of the month due to the center’s closure on 4th of July

How can the public stay informed about community center hours and other news?

• Center staff will keep the public informed of any changes with on-site signage and updates on their websites and Facebook pages.
• The public is encouraged to subscribe to Community Center emails. A sign-up form can be found at the bottom of each community center website:
  • CenterAtNorpoint.org
  • EastsideCommunityCenter.org
  • PeoplesCommunityCenter.org
  • STARCenterTacoma.org
• If you have any questions or concerns about your community center, please contact front desk staff or email the assistant supervisor:
  • Center at Norpoint: Lisa Ellson, Assistant Center Supervisor, [email protected]
  • Eastside Community Center: Toni Babbs, Assistant Center Supervisor, [email protected]
  • People’s Center: Christy West, Assistant Center Supervisor, [email protected]
  • STAR Center: Iris Macias, Assistant Center Supervisor, [email protected]

How will the public be informed of the change in hours?

• Signage displayed at the center
• Social media
• Email to center users
• Alert on the website
• Updated hours posted on Google, Bing, and Apple maps
• Outgoing phone message updated at each center