Friday, Sep. 03, 2010

City addresses rumors about community center

Mayor, city staff clarify questions regarding facility

City staff spent Wednesday's council meeting clearing up rumors about the Los Banos Community Center.

And Mayor Tommy Jones believes the presentation was absolutely necessary.

"Evidently it is," Jones said. "They keep putting it (rumors) out there. It has nothing to do with reality. We need to just move forward and make our community the best it can be."

Redevelopment Agency Director Elaine Post said there have been numerous rumors about the facility that need to be clarified. The first on her list was the false idea that alcohol is not allowed at the center. Post said alcohol is allowed, but it must stop being served at 11 p.m. or an hour before the end of an event. Hourlong events are also allowed to have alcohol.

"The only place it's not allowed is in our parking lot area, and I think the reason why would be pretty obvious," Post said.

She said another false claim is that the mayor requested to turn the center in a different direction because a friend owned property that could be made into a parking lot. The center has 99 parking spaces and is near city owned lots where overflow parking can be accommodated.

People are also incorrectly estimating the number of bookings the center has, Post said. She said the facility has booked 31 events so far and the city does not count groups that have not given a deposit for the rental. Post said the bookings include the NAACP banquet, Readers' Choice Awards dinner, a Ducks Unlimited event, five weddings, 10 birthdays, a holiday party and a wedding reception among other events.

Rates to rent the center's grand room range from $1,800 to $600 depending on how much of the room is rented and the length of time it's occupied. The courtyard rents for $100 an hour and the facility's classroom areas cost $50 an hour.

The Golden Agers have been offered a contract to hold monthly dinners at the Los Banos Community Center at the same rate they are currently paying to have the event at the Los Banos Fairgrounds ($460 a month), said Paul Cardoza, parks and operations manager.

Post also said local subcontractors were used on the project and many stores supplied furnishings and supplies for the community center.

Councilman Joe Sousa said the city has a lot to be proud of.

"I don't think you're going to find anything in this Valley that's quite as nice. It reflects the time and the effort that's put into this project," Sousa said.

Jones said he plans to lobby government agencies for funding to allow senior citizens to be transported by van to the community center at least twice per week.

Sousa said he hopes community members support the center whether they were in favor of it originally or not.

"Bury the hatchet and let's move forward," he said.

The Los Banos Community Center will hold its grand opening Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. at 645 Seventh St.