I am responding to the recent letter from Ms. Elke Peterson in the Renton Reporter Letters to the Editor section, April 10, 2009, regarding showering at the Renton Community Center.

All programs, activities, classes, special events and services offered by the City of Renton are subject to justification for cost, effectiveness and value to the citizens of Renton.

A shower pass for 20 showers for $20 is available at the Renton Community Center, without having to register for a scheduled program. Those registered for an active program or drop-in activity may shower as part of the registration cost. Shower passes may be purchased and used any time during normal operating hours. As with other programs, shower-pass holders are registered and data is tracked and recorded in order for the Recreation Division staff to be aware of user trends.

Regular customers at the Renton Community Center appreciate that they do not have to go through a financial transaction each time they use their shower pass. A pass card is much more user-friendly than paying cash each time.

The purchase of individual shower passes is not a service available at all cities. Several of Renton’s neighboring cities do not offer availability of their showers unless individuals are registered in an existing program.

The shower-pass program has no relationship to the One Night Count or the homeless camp at Bryn Mawr United Methodist Church. Notification of the shower-pass program was posted at the Renton Community Center in mid-November 2008 and the program began Jan. 15, 2009. The homeless camp at Bryn Mawr United Methodist Church (which is outside the Renton City limits) did not arrive until March 1, 2009.

Should you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Jerry Rerecich, recreation director, at 425-430-6615 or jrerecich@rentonwa.gov.

Terry Higashiyama, Community Services administrator, City of Renton