Planning for new Poway community center back on track

By Steve Dreyer

Planning has been put back on track for a proposed new community/senior center in Community Park.

City Council members made it clear during a Tuesday night workshop session that they’d like to proceed with the long-delayed project and authorized staff to have the project designer complete schematic plans and elevation drawings of the 30,000-square-foot center.

“Full steam ahead” is how Councilman Jim Cunningham put it following a council briefing on the project’s status.

Left undecided were questions relating to how the center, estimated to cost about $10 million to $12 million, will be financed and how current programs and activities at the Poway Senior Center and Community Auditorium will be accommodated if and when construction is approved. Both issues are expected to be addressed next year.

The idea of a new center was incorporated into larger overall “Town Center” plans that were developed between 2006 and 2011, then set aside once the economy slowed and the state shut down the city’s redevelopment agency.

Progress-to-date plans shown Tuesday night call for two new buildings that would replace the current senior and community centers. One would contain offices, classrooms and a “senior lounge” while the other would include a banquet room, multi-purpose activity room and commercial kitchen.

Robin Bettin, director of community services, said the tentative design allows for flexibility of use by seniors, youth programs and the general community. The design was influenced by similar buildings in Coronado and Encinitas, she said.

Bettin termed the proposed Poway center “a state-of-the-art, intergenerational facility.”

The project has been named “The Michael P. Cafagna Senior Center and Community Facility,” in honor of former Mayor “Mickey” Cafagna. City staffers have been referring to it as “The Cafagna Center.”

Council comments were mostly positive, although both John Mullin and Steve Vaus said they thought the exterior design was a little too “industrial” and suggested the designer soften the look to better reflect Poway’s atmosphere.

Completion of the plans will cost about $25,000, City Manager Penny Riley said. The money has already been budgeted, she said.

Meeting for nearly four hours Tuesday night, the council also:

• Approved revised plans for a slightly smaller Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse on 11.5 acres on the north side of Poway Road, east of Midland Road. A company spokesman said demolition of buildings related to two former car dealers on the site will begin next month.

• Referred back to the Traffic Safety Committee a proposal to install all-way stop signs at Martincoit and Stone Canyon roads. Several residents spoke both in favor and against the idea. Council members said they needed more information before making a decision and directed city staff to conduct a more-thorough survey of traffic conditions in the area.

• Approved plans submitted by General Atomics to build a private recreation center on 20 vacant acres it owns at 14130 Kirkham Way. The plans include two lighted softball fields, a lighted soccer field, gym, locker room and swimming pool. Council members praised the project as a good way to attract and retain the company’s 4,000-plus employees.

• Approved a proposal to change the land-use designation at 13250 Kirkham Way to allow the property to be used as a contractor’s office with outdoor storage.

• Heard a presentation by the Metropolitan Transit System regarding proposed bus route changes impacting the Poway area that may take effect in mid-2014.

• Elected Councilman David Grosch to serve as deputy mayor in 2014.