With construction documents nearing completion and cost estimates finalized, the Poway City Council took steps at the Feb. 19 council meeting to ensure funding was available to solicit bids for the construction of the Mickey Cafagna Community Center. The council also approved a request from the Poway Valley Senior Citizens Corporation (PVSCC) for financial assistance in providing senior services at a temporary location during the construction of the community center.
Two floor plans have been discussed: the “hybrid” floorplan, which is just over 18,000 square feet, and the “hybrid plus” floorplan, which includes an additional large meeting space and classroom. Current estimates, calculated by a professional construction cost estimator hired by the City, project costs to be higher than the amount initially approved for the project.
At a minimum, funding for the “hybrid” floorplan needed to be appropriated for the community center construction be put out to bid. At the Feb. 19 meeting, council appropriated funds to bridge the gap between the amount initially budgeted for the project and the current cost estimates to build the “hybrid” floorplan.
The PVSCC’s request for financial assistance included approximately $288,000 from a fund already set aside for the senior center. This will cover moving and storage costs, as well as tenant improvements and rent for the center’s temporary location. The organization also asked for $100,000 over a two-year period to assist with operating costs.
If the council ultimately selects the “hybrid” floorplan when the contract for construction is approved in June, the senior center will have priority use of the large meeting space for bingo on Saturday nights.