SEBASTIAN — The Sebastian City Council is not quite ready to embark on building a new, central and comprehensive community center to consolidate the various sites throughout town that are open to the public for various activities.
The Council received a report back on its $10,000 Community Center Needs Assessment, which determined that there is approximately 11,000 square feet of community space available, though it might not all be in the best of facilities or laid out in the most efficient manner.
Councilman Jim Hill pointed out that a mere 10 people – including two city representatives – attended the assessment workshop last October.
“You have no real needs,” he said, explaining that if there were pressing needs, more people would have participated in the process.
Councilwoman Andrea Coy suggested the City renovate its existing space, specifically the Old City Hall complex where the Senior Center and Arts Center are located, to accommodate even more activities and people.
“I think these are easy fixes,” Hill said in agreement.
Vice Mayor Jerome Adams disagreed, however, reminding the Council that the City is poised to grow by 43 percent between 2014 and 2035, according to state projections. He said he’d rather see the City create a central community center to house all the different activities.
“I believe it’s something we should be actively looking into,” Adams said, adding that the City would then be prepared and wouldn’t have to scramble when the population grows.
He also said that providing banquet space, which was an option presented, bears exploration and that it would not be in competition with existing halls.
The Council approved the report and directed City Manager Joe Griffin to explore the possibility of grants to help or fully fund a comprehensive community center.
