ASK ELi: Managing Hannah's Use

Image: Hannah Community Center, courtesy City of East Lansing

This week, an ELi reader asked us to investigate the usage of the Hannah Community Center. Our reader was particularly interested in the question of whether City-run programs are given adequate priority over external groups that use Hannah. (Hannah is getting busy enough that space is sometimes tight, including in the parking lot.)

Hannah hosts a wide variety of City-run and external programming. City-run programs include the Prime Time Seniors’ Program and the performances of All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre. External groups that regularly use Hannah include, for example, Covenant Life Community Church. External groups can also rent space in Hannah for one-time usage.

To get answers to our reader’s question, I talked by email to Tim McCaffrey, Director of Parks, Recreation, & Arts. Here’s that conversation:

How much is Hannah Community Center used by non-city programs, such as the church that meets in the auditorium every Sunday?

McCaffrey: “Use of the community center varies from season to season and year to year, however, approximately 90% of the use of, for example, the swim pool, dance studios, gymnasiums are scheduled for city-sponsored activities. Spaces used primarily on a rental/reservation basis, banquet hall, 2nd floor conference room, for example, tend to be community-based or not city-sponsored uses. As much as 80% of their use is community-based rental/reservations.”

Do all non-city programs pay for use of the building? If not, how is payment determined? If so, do all pay on the same scale?

McCaffrey: “All community based rental/reservation users pay fees to use the building. City sponsored programs/classes also pay rental/reservation fees through internal fund transfers. We have resident and non-resident rates for space use at the facility.”

Do City programs have priority over non-City use?

McCaffrey: “Yes, in some instances, city-sponsored programs have priority over non-city-sponsored programs. For example, recreation and arts classes, prime time senior programs, learn to swim, fitness classes offered by COEL will tend to be scheduled before community-based requests for use. However, again, there are some spaces that tend to have more community-based use [Banquet Hall, 2nd floor conference room, etc.] than city-sponsored use.”

Is scheduling of Hannah Community Center (ELHCC) done with an eye towards possible parking problems?

McCaffrey: "To the extent possible yes when scheduling ELHCC we consider potential parking issues. For example, in the past we have made arrangements for patrons to be able to park at the Church across the street on Abbot Road. In addition, patrons can park on Centerlawn and other residential streets if necessary."

ELi thanks Tim McCaffrey for helping to get answers to our reader's question!