Rec center expansion okayed by City Council
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

The City Council this week awarded a $1.3-million contract to McCarthy Construction Inc. to expand the Arroyo Vista Community Center.

The extra space will enable the Department of Parks and Recreation to offer more programs to the community with expanded classes and camps, said Mary Lindley, director of community services for Moorpark.

Projects include a new conference room, a second activity room, an office and a storage area. A sink will be installed in the existing activity room so additional arts and crafts classes can be offered there.

A wall that was damaged by water will be repaired and carpeting will be replaced throughout the center. Two roofs covering walkways between the recreation center and the gym will also be replaced.

The will cost nearly $2.2 million including funds already spent in the design, administrative costs and construction management.

City officials first approved expansion plans in April but the project was delayed due to funding issues.

The original scope of work included the expansion of both the gym and the center. But the city couldn't commit to both projects, so officials opted to delay the gym expansion until new revenues are available. "We didn't have enough money to expand the recreation center and the gym at the same time so the council picked what they thought was most important," Lindley said.

The city is currently conducting a survey in the community to determine what public facilities and services residents want most and what they're willing to pay for.

Officials will create a priority list based on results of the survey. Extra taxes or bond measures could pay for some of the new amenities if residents support the idea.