San Juan Bautista
– The San Juan Bautista City Council is considering giving the
town’s community center a makeover that many hope will transform
the building from a run-down hall to an attractive, functional
space that will benefit all of the mission city’s residents.
San Juan Bautista – The San Juan Bautista City Council is considering giving the town’s community center a makeover that many hope will transform the building from a run-down hall to an attractive, functional space that will benefit all of the mission city’s residents.
“We’re really trying to get it in better shape,” City Manager Jan McClintock said. “It’s a historic building and it needs help desperately.” The community center, which is more than a century old, is plagued with a variety of problems and is currently less than ideal as a gathering place. The roof leaks, entrances are not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the kitchen is out of date and decrepit, and the structure is infested with termites, according to McClintock.
“It’s abominable,” she said.
In the past, the San Juan Service Club was responsible for the upkeep of the building, but those duties returned to the city about a year ago, according to Georgeanna Goularte of the San Juan Bautista Historical Society.
San Juan recently acquired a $250,000 grant from the State Parks service that could help fund at least part of any improvements the council decides are warranted. So far the city has not received any firm estimates on how much a such an endeavor might cost.
“It just depends on how far we want to go,” McClintock said. “$250,000 should at least cover the roof, and hopefully the ADA improvements as well.”
Despite the sorry state of the building, it is used frequently as a gathering place for community organizations, Boy and Girl Scouts, and as a polling place for San Juan voters.
“We don’t have any other real facilities where people can come together or teach classes,” said McClintock.
Moreover, if the building is improved, city officials are hopeful that private parties will rent out the space more often, the fees from which could be used to support the Parks and Recreation Department, which is struggling after recent budget cuts.
“It will be an asset to the community, and the rental fees will benefit residents as well,” said McClintock.
The City Council was originally set to make a decision regarding the improvements at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, but after discussion the item was pushed back to the July meeting.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or
ds****@fr***********.com
.
