"Waterside Workshops, a nonprofit based in Berkeley's Aquatic Park that teaches community members boatbuilding and bike repair skills, is facing significant financial headwinds. Hours have been curtailed this year at the 18-year-old organization's Street Level Cycles program as four staff members, one full-time, three part-time, have been laid off. The nonprofit's youth mental health case manager, a full-time position, has also been cut."
"Construction of Berkeley Commons, a 540,000 square-foot life sciences complex, reduced access to Waterside Workshops over the past few years but the nonprofit's bike sales have started to pick up since completion of the project. And after a slate of capital improvement projects, Aquatic Park is on the verge of a new era."
"Waterside is facing a major grant deficit, according to Rebecca Grove, Waterside's executive director, including the denial of two major government grants that the organization was counting on this year, and the loss of two general operating grants, amounting to $200,000, that have helped sustain the operation for the past seven years. Waterside's annual budget of $1.3 million in 2025, is expected to dip below $1 million next year."
Waterside Workshops in Berkeley's Aquatic Park has curtailed hours and laid off four Street Level Cycles staff (one full-time, three part-time) and its full-time youth mental health case manager. Street Level Cycles refurbishes and sells over 1,000 bikes annually, gives away more than 100, and served about 1,800 people at weekend Open Shop events. The organization lost two major government grants and two general operating grants totaling $200,000. Annual budget projected at $1.3 million for 2025 is expected to fall below $1 million next year. Reduced bike shop sales and a major grant deficit are driving financial strain.
Read at www.berkeleyside.org
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