4 Rec. Centers In West Baltimore Closing

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Four recreation centers in West Baltimore are set to close this month as part of the city's long-planned overhaul of the facilities.

The Baltimore Sun reports the Crispus Attucks, Parkview, Central Rosemont and Harlem Park centers will close on Aug. 11. It's not clear whether other centers will be shut down.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has warned for nearly two years that her plan to remake the city's aging network of recreation centers would cause some to close. Rawlings-Blake wants to create a smaller system of high-quality centers. She has pledged to spend $19 million to build three new centers and to renovate another.

Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young opposes the mayor's plan. He says closing the centers is harmful to children and seniors.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)