Daily Sun News
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Sheri Brockway of Brockway Opfere Raab Architecture, PLLC speaks with Grandview citizens about design ideas for the city's new community center.
GRANDVIEW - Approximately 30 citizens, mostly retirees, attended a citizen input meeting last night to discuss the design of Grandview's new community center.
Interim City Manager Cus Arteaga began the meeting, explaining the city wanted to hear from the citizens before the architectural firm of Brockway Opfere Raab designed the new facility.
"The downtown project is well underway...now we are preparing to get started on the Grandview community center...it's a great day in Grandview," he said in his introduction.
Sheri Brockway of the architectural firm was on hand for the meeting. She said her firm is excited to design the new community center, which is intended to be a multi-use facility for community members of all ages.
Her firm designed Yakima Valley Community College's Workforce Education Center and just sent out construction bids on the joint library between the college and the city of Grandview.
Arteaga said Parks and Recreation Department Director Mike Carpenter is the lead on the community center project. He will be working closely with citizens, the city and Brockway's firm.
Mayor Norm Childress spoke to those present at last night's meeting, stating, "We want an open exchange of ideas...there are many projects underway in Grandview that are quality of life projects...they make the community livable for families," he said.
He explained much of the funding for the city's current projects was secured through grants, helping alleviate the out-of-pocket responsibilities of Grandview citizens.
Carpenter spoke to the crowd, sharing the history of the community center project. He explained the city's desire to construct a multi-use facility dated back approximately two years. It was among a list of priorities. Yakima Valley Community College's need for additional space played into the city's desires, providing the community the opportunity to move forward with plans for a center like the one being discussed.
The senior citizens who utilize the Carl L. Stevens Senior Center, where last night's meeting was held, played a role in assisting the city with securing the Community Development Block Grant to fund the construction of the new community center, according to Carpenter.
He said he was at a swimming pool conference when the news was received. "There were 12 messages on my cell phone. I received five calls on my way back and finally pulled over," he recalled, stating Gretchen Chronis "showered" him with the news that the city had been awarded $1 million in grant funding for the new community center.
The community center, said Carpenter, will be located at Country Park for a number of reasons. He said the existing parking and city owned land will provide many benefits, such as a reduced cost in the construction.
The goal is to provide the citizens with a facility that will serve everyone. He said city officials believe the location will help strengthen partnerships with the National Guard and Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic.
"The community center would also provide the National Guard another facility to use in the event of a local emergency or disaster," said Carpenter.
The Brockway firm, he said, was one of 17 to submit a proposal for the community center. Grandview was among 53 communities to apply for Community Development Block Grants, and was among 13 selected.
For this reason, Carpenter said he is pleased with how the city has been able to secure a quality architectural firm and funding for the community center project.
Brockway said her firm will work on the design of the center this fall and will advertise for construction bids in the spring.
"This is our kick-off point," she said.
The community members gathered last night then provided a list of desired features for the new facility.
Former Bleyhl Library Director Linda Dunham and several other citizens almost immediately requested the new building be constructed with a sloping roof.
Dunham said the library's flat roof was problematic.
The citizens expressed desires for a stage with a sloping ramp, a multi-purpose floor for dancing, basketball and other events. Offices for the Parks and Recreation Department employees and additional office space for outside organizations were among the suggestions. Also suggested was a conference room with audio/video equipment, a kitchen with commercial refrigeration, a sound system, a sprinkler/fire suppression system, satellite space for emergency personnel, Wi-Fi or DSL internet capabilities, a small patio area, a barbecue pit and concession area, windows that can open, a teen "hang out" area and steel building construction.
There were several other suggestions made and listed for Brockway's firm to consider in designing the new facility.
"We have a good starting point," said Brockway at the end of the meeting.
