The architectural renderings above show plans for a renovation of the Fletcher Cove Community Center. The four side elevations are shown, clockwise from top left: west, south, east and north.
The existing Fletcher Cove Community Center is shown.
Residents asked to give money, labor or furniture for project
The Fletcher Cove Community Center used to be the place to be in Solana Beach.
To ensure the former army barracks once again becomes an asset to residents, city leaders and organizers are launching a campaign to raise funds to refurbish the small building. The project would involve updating the center to meet Americans With Disabilities Act requirements, fixing structural problems and making it more energy efficient.
"If the economy wasn't like it is, this would be a slam dunk," said resident Peter House, a volunteer fundraiser. "The cove itself is a beloved place in the community, so it's the right thing to do in terms of what we're trying to do. It's just whether in these times the community is able to come up with enough to do that."
While there is no concrete number just yet, estimates are that the project will cost between $400,000 and $500,000.
"The city is going to have to put money in, obviously," said city manager David Ott.
Solana Beach will soon place a thermometer-type sign out front to update everyone on how much has been raised. Donations, however, are not limited to money. They can come in the form of furniture or time given for labor.
Regardless of what or how much people can give, Deputy Mayor Lesa Heebner said the structure needs a lot of work.
"It hasn't fallen down because it's standing," she said, adding the window curtains disintegrate upon being touched, the kitchen is rusted, the bathroom is small and many fixtures were made circa 1930.
The goal of the project is to make the Fletcher Cove Community Center desirable for meetings, city events and a gathering point residents will want to take advantage of. Except for one thing.
"We can't have parties," Heebner said. "We have an agreement with the neighbors, we can't create a need for more parking so it will just be what it's been, meetings and gatherings."
One other major aspect of the project is to reverse the center's floor plan, meaning the building's patio and large back windows would now overlook the ocean.
"It's an amazing place during the summer time. The community center used to be a place where everybody came and used all the time," House said, adding he hopes it will once again become that same kind of magnet.
For more information on the Fletcher Cove Community Center project, go to www.solanabeachcommunityfoundation.org.
Although the Del Mar Times does not have any obligation to monitor this board, the Del Mar Times reserves the right at all times to check this board and to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to the Del Mar Times in our sole discretion and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. The Del Mar Times also reserves the right to permanently block any user who violates these terms and conditions. All threats to systems or site infrastructure shall be assumed genuine in nature and will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Submission of any comments will be considered permission to use online or in print.
