Board approves $150K for renovations
Donning holiday ties and sweaters, the San Benito County Board
of Supervisors got into the giving spirit by approving $150,000 for
renovation of two community sites this week.
Board approves $150K for renovations
Donning holiday ties and sweaters, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors got into the giving spirit by approving $150,000 for renovation of two community sites this week.
Supervisor Anthony Botelho asked his fellow board members to consider contributing up to $100,000 for much-needed fixes to the San Juan Community Center.
“San Juan Bautista is in the process of renovating what we call our community center,” Botelho said. “We want to forge a partnership that would help complete the project so that the whole county can enjoy it.”
The community center is housed in an historical building, built in 1920 and it needs more than $400,000 in work to fix a leaky roof and rotting wood. Some of the money will also be used to bring the center into ADA compliance.
“The work needed is extensive and it is very important to get it completed as soon as possible,” Botelho said.
Many groups in the community use the center, including seniors who gather for lunch there as well as local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Santa Claus handed out treats to children at the center during the annual SJB bonfire last weekend.
“A few years ago, we had a December storm and the roof leaked right where Santa was handing out goodies,” Botelho said.
The community center can be rented out and the updates to the building will make it more attractive to people who want to host an event there. Some of the other updates include new interior lighting, a kitchen remodel and storable tables and chairs.
Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz asked jokingly if the community center would be renamed after Botelho. Botelho and San Juan City Manager Jan McClintock both agreed it would not.
“Of course, a lot of ballparks have been renamed for the right amount of sponsorship,” McClintock joked.
The Board also approved $50,000 to renovate a Central Avenue park in Hollister. De La Cruz presented the item to the board.
“Clay Lee [Hollister Community Services Director] and I got together and discussed the park,” De La Cruz said. “I know for a fact that more cats play in that park than kids.”
The John Z. Hernandez Park is a quarter-acre play area with a half-court basketball court, a grassy area and play equipment. The estimate to renovate the park is just more than $43,000. The bulk of the money is to replace the play structure that is dimpled and chipped with safer equipment. The city will need to contract out for that installation.
City staff will do the other upgrades, including sodding the lawn, placing a fence around parts of the park and putting in concrete for access to the play area.
“Ongoing maintenance costs will include what we do now,” Lee said.
Supervisor Monaco noted that with a parks and recreation commission, items such as these would be decided before that group.
Melissa Flores can be reached at [email protected].
