Optimize Leisure Services

Benson Movie Theater 1942

If being a Council-member, or volunteering to be a part of the City's different Boards and Commissions is not something of interest, residents and businesses can also become involved through sponsorship, and community projects. The sustainability of leisure opportunities depends heavily on community involvement. Without community support leisure opportunities will perish.

Longtime Benson residents remember the days of the Movie Theater, roller skating rink, swimming pools, and the bowling alley. As adults they have fond memories of a childhood spent in these places. According to the grandson of Garnet Barker; Dennis Barker,  the roller skating rink was built in the late 1950's, early 1960's, and opened in the mid 1960's. 

During my interview with lifetime Benson Resident, and favorite local radio personality Debra Post, I asked if she thought it would be feasible to open a skating rink again in Benson, she stated, "it would be a good thing for Benson. Some place for moms to take their kids especially if different contests and things were offered." I also asked her for suggestions on how to get a roller skating rink open again in Benson; funding, staffing, operations, Debra said, "the best thing to do would be to check with the community to find out if there is any interest." 

Today the only thing left is a swimming pool, which is owned and operated by the City of Benson. The City Pool is thirty-five (35) feet wide and seventy-five (75) feet long with a pool for the little ones. The City Pool is typically open Monday - Sunday, from 1:00 pm - 5:00, and Sunday, from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. It is also home to many local children of all ages during the summer months. The City Pool was officially opened in May of 2008, three years after the Benson School Board decided to close their pool.  It was estimated the cost to repair the School Pool would have been around $700,000.00 (News Sun). The School Pool had been in operation since 1965, equipment needed to be updated, and settling caused major
damage to the pool plaster. 

When the Community Center was built in 2000, there was a collaborative effort by the City of Benson, Catholic Community Services, and the Benson Senior Advisory Committee. Through this process land was located and purchased, and a grant was applied for to complete this project. Part of the Grant requirements was that the City would maintain the building, pay the utilities, and the building would remain as a Senior Center for five (5) years. Benson's City Council agreed to extend the requirement for an additional five (5) years. After the ten (10) year period the Senior Center reverted to a Community Center. Catholic Community Services continues to operate their meals program at the Community Center at no cost for rent, and utilities. 

Prior to the construction of the new Community (Senior) Center the seniors and Catholic community Services operated out of what is now known as  the location for the Benson Food Bank, and Friends of the Library. Both organizations currently lease the building from the City of Benson, with a similar agreement to that of Catholic Community Service's use of the Community Center. 

In late 1997 (News Sun), a group of Benson Residents got together to form a Boys and Girls Club for the youth in the San Pedro Valley. They originally started at the location of the former roller skating rink. After the seniors and Catholic Community Services moved into their new facility the group moved to the future location of the Benson Food Bank, and the Friends of the Library. Due to a lack of volunteers their efforts to form a Boys and Girls Club in Benson were thwarted. The organization let their efforts to form a Boys and Girls Club perish sometime in 2002.

listen to ‘There has only been a small handful of steady volunteers over the years.’ on audioBoom

Although the efforts to provide Benson and San Pedro Valley with a Boys and Girls Club failed, and community support was lacking; the attempt at a Boys and Girls Club is the perfect example of what happens when residents do not actively participate in their communities. The importance of community involvement was demonstrated when Benson Public Schools decided to close their pool in the Spring of 2005, and the community came together to raise $300,000.00 toward the purchase of a $500,000.00 swimming pool. Another successful community project that never would have come to be a reality, without community involvement, is the Union Street Playground Project. 

The Union Street Playground is located next to the City Pool, and provides the children of this community a place to play during the summer months when the pool is open. Two successful community projects, the pool and playground demonstrate the importance of community involvement. 

Today, the City of Benson's leisure services include four parks, Community Center, Public Pool, Library, Golf Course, summer programs, swimming lessons, and several family oriented events throughout the year. Special Events include: Benson's 4th of July Celebration, Movies in the Park, Dive in Movies at the City Pool, a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, and Light Parade. The City of Benson uses several sources for funding leisure services. Improvements are generally paid for by Capitol Improvement Project Funds, Grants, and Sponsorship (City of Benson Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment). If the economy is not thriving it is difficult for the City to fund Leisure Services, and improvement projects which makes community support even more critical to the City's success in continuing to provide those services. 

In 2013, the City of Benson Recreation Department worked closely with Dr. Rodriguez from Arizona State University to complete a Parks and Recreation Survey. Surveys were sent out to six-hundred (600) randomly selected Benson residents, only one-hundred thirty five (135) responded (City of Benson Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment). Three of the most popular answers among respondents were family events, improvements to existing facilities, and dog walking. Other respondents said they would like walking trails around the park. 

A pedestrian friendly community can improve the quality of life for residents, and has the potential to increase tourism. Additional crosswalks can aid in increasing pedestrian safety, and increase walk-ability, and a safer, healthier environment for residents and visitors. Through active participation from residents there is the opportunity to provide input on updates to Park Master Plans, and help with the execution of fundraising, and project completion. 

Are you willing to be a part of a successful community project, get active, and help improve our community?

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