Willamalane will always preserve and protect our priceless open spaces for the children of the future.
You will need Acrobat Reader
Downloadable documents can be viewed using Acrobat Reader software which is built into many web browsers these days. Try clicking on a document to see if it will open for you. If not, you can click here to go to the Adobe.com web site to download the software for free.
You are Here: Home >
Posted
September 2006
Work is continuing on Willamalane’s new Community Recreation Center at the 32nd Street sports complex. Willamalane expects to move into the 21,000-square-foot, $2.5 million facility in mid-December, with grand opening celebrations set for January.
Willamalane’s new building will include such features as large new community rooms and a state-of-the-art early childhood center. Large multipurpose rooms at the heart of the community center will provide space for events ranging from adult education classes to community meetings to private receptions.
More space will allow the Kinders program, which serves working parents of kindergartners, to expand from 800 square feet at its current location to 3,000 square feet in the new building. Children will also enjoy an adjacent playground and covered outdoor area.
The District expects to save money by placing administrative staff and recreation programmers in central office space. Energy efficient features such as insulated roofing panels and a new lighting system will also save on operating costs.And the center’s modern design will better accommodate patrons with disabilities, making this community center a recreation hub for everyone.
The community center is the latest addition to a thriving sports complex. Willamalane’s two new artificial turf fields welcome athletes from around the state.
To the north, the private Regional Sports Center offers a variety of fitness activities. The Regional Sports Center is also constructing three new hardwood gyms adjacent to the community center.
Willamalane plans to continue its work on the complex to the south of the buildings, adding two more sports fields, a walking trail, and an outdoor basketball court in addition to more parking in future phases of construction.
After more than two years of negotiations, representatives of Willamalane and the City, a pioneering Springfield family, and a local developer have signed papers which will preserve Springfield’s oldest homestead and set aside 83 acres for park and open space use. The homestead, known as the Gray House, is located at 7575 McKenzie Highway.
The City of Springfield, Willamalane Park and Recreation District, the Gray/Jaqua family, and Heritage One completed the deal to preserve the house and set aside the acreage, which is currently being called the Heritage Park Property.
“I was raised on the property and I remember great times playing there as a child,” noted Connie Jaqua, one of the owners of the historic property. “I’m excited by the thought that other Springfield children will be able to play and enjoy this home and property.”
Specifics of the deal call for the City and Willamalane to each pay $100,000 to the Gray and Jaqua families to purchase the house and surrounding property. Agreements with the developers allow for the eventual acquisition of 40 additional acres and the donation of 40 more acres to be used as parkland, open space, and trails. Heritage One plans to build approximately 600 residential units on an adjoining 215 acres. Development is contingent on Master Plan approval.