VANCOUVER, Wash. -- The Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Department will down-size to address a significant loss in customer demand amidst tough economic times. Parks Director Peter Mayer briefed Vancouver City Council at a public workshop Tuesday.

The $10.5 million annual parks and recreation operating budget will be cut by 11 percent. The City of Vancouver’s parks and recreation centers will remain open during existing hours and roughly 80 percent of existing customers will continue to be served. However, certain classes, services and programs will be discontinued by March 31 and there will be staff layoffs.

Two specific economic factors in City park and recreation funding contributed to the $1.2 million projected shortfall in 2012:

• A sustained drop in Firstenburg and Marshall/Luepke Community Center passes, program fees and registrations in the second half of 2011 prompted City staff to re-evaluate the 2012 budget. The decline is forecasted to continue for a loss of approximately $800,000 in 2012. The 2011 budget was based upon some revenue loss from the record-setting recreation revenue of 2010; however the actual loss was higher than expected.

Head to any Qdoba Mexican Grill for this awesome deal in honor of Chip Kelly staying right here in Oregon (where a lot of folks think he belongs - we're just sayin'). Here are the details straight from Qdoba:

Locally owned and operated Qdoba Mexican Grill is celebrating Chip Kelly turning down the coaching job for NFL team Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now that’s loyalty! To show appreciation to Kelly and loyal fans, Qdoba is offering “Chips and Queso for Chip Kelly” deal.  
 
Here’s the deal: Visit any Qdoba Mexican Grill in Oregon and SW Washington, now through tomorrow, Jan. 24,  to receive FREE chips and queso with the purchase of any large drink. Customers need to mention "Thank you, Chip" at the register to take advantage of the giveaway. 

As sponsors of the Oregon Ducks, it’s a small price to pay to keep the man who has led the Oregon Ducks to Pac-10/12 titles the last three years in Eugene.