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Recreation
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City of Roswell
P.O. Drawer 1838
Roswell, NM 88202-1838
(505) 624-6700
Fax: 624-6889 |
THE LEISURE INCIDENT
Chapter Eleven - $22.00 Gets Me What?
April 14, 2026
By Kim Elliott, CLP
Recreation Director
City of Roswell
At this time of the year, we have either just filed our taxes, or, requested an
extension to file. At this time of year, the City is actively putting a proposed budget
together for consideration. Parents with college age students are trying to figure out how
to get their kids to the right school next fall and be able to pay their way at the same
time. "Refinance!" "Consolidate your bills!" "You are eligible
for credit card X"... These are all things that we hear quite often. We make
conscious efforts as to how to spend our hard earned money. Maybe it is time to stray a
little from the "leisure incident" opportunities that we have been talking about
and discuss how much those opportunities cost.
What do you get for $22.00?
You can buy four (4) movie tickets to see a movie. You can have an oil change done for
your car. You can eat a nice meal at a restaurant. If on sale, you might be able to
purchase a good pair of pants or skirt. Think about how you spend your hard earned
dollars?
How many times have you heard the phrase, "You can pay me now, or, you can pay me
later!"? This phrase is an important phrase to remember when it comes to leisure. It
is very true!
An example of this is stated in a little different way when congressman Bruce Vento
from Minnesota says, "Urban recreation and sports programs are proven,
commonsense, and cost-effective means of preventing crime and delinquency. I wonder if our
urban youth crime rate would be different if these programs had not been neglected in the
past." Even those in New Mexico recognize this. As stated in an earlier
chapter, the former mayor of Albuquerque, Martin Chavez, was heard to say that several
years ago sport and music programs were cut from the Albuquerque schools. When this
happened, an increase in crime and vandalism resulted. When they began to put sport and
music programs back into the system, crime and vandalism decreased.
Yes, you can pay me now, or, you can pay me later! These words need to be considered.
If you had the opportunity to join a club with an annual membership fee of $22 what
might be some of the benefits you would look to receive? The benefits might be something
like:
a. health and fitness opportunities
b. travel opportunities
c. stress reduction
d. enhance the body’s immune system
e. reduced blood pressure
f. crime prevention
g. volunteer opportunities
h. social opportunities
i. reduced overall blood cholesterol
f. personal growth and development promoted
g. quality of life
h. satisfaction with life
i. psychological well being
j. outlets for stimulation
k. promotes strong, vital and involved community
l. promotes community pride
m. reduces juvenile delinquency
n. promotes social bonding
o. catalyst for tourism
p. promotes a productive workforce
q. enhances property values
r. stimulates economic growth
s. preserves open space
t. promotes ethnic and cultural understanding
u. builds strong families
If you live in Roswell, you are already a member of this club. You are entitled to
receive these benefits! If you participated in one of Roswell Recreation Departments many
programs then you would have received some of the above benefits directly. If you did not,
then you are receiving indirect benefits from others participating in our programs.
The Roswell Recreation Department provided services to the Roswell community during
1997 for $22/person. This is the average cost per person for the Recreation Department to
provide services at the Roswell Adult Center, Yucca Recreation Center, Cahoon Swimming
Pool and our many special programs and events.
When we take into consideration that it takes $28,000-$38,000 to incarcerate one
juvenile for one year, the choice should be easy. I would rather spend $22/year on
prevention than thousands on incarceration.
What does $22/year get you?
Parks and Recreation - The Benefits are Endless...TM
