An elderly man walks into Euclid City Hall, 585 E 222nd St. (Frank Mecum – The News-Herald)
The Euclid City Council Executive and Finance Committee met this week to update council on the status of the planned Health and Wellness Center.
The new center will replace a skateboard park and some parking spaces near C.E. Orr Ice Arena (22550 Milton Ave.).
The new center will provide space for more than 35 of the Recreation Department’s programs, with the design originally due to be approved by City Council in March 2023. Construction is expected to begin in late July after City Council approves the bid.
Recreation Director Mack Stevens told the council that from the beginning he wanted a program that would shape the look of the center, and he said he plans to install vending machines to sell healthy foods because he felt having a snack bar or other concession stand in the building would detract from the community aspect of the center.
He further said that the arrival of kitchens and private contractors to sell food and other services would take away space from residents.
“I respect your opinion, but when we started discussing what this would look like, I think I made a strong case that we needed to have the space to provide adequate programming to meet the needs of the community,” Stevens said in response to a council member’s question about whether private vendors could occupy the building. “Having adequate space for programming is essential to the success of a recreation center.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of recreation centers and visited many around the state and abroad, and centers that focus on providing amenities tend to struggle, while those that focus on having space that matches the needs of their community and the types of programs they’re trying to offer are successful.”
The center will have three basketball courts in the main room surrounded by a jogging track, and on the west side will be a fitness equipment area, showers and several other community rooms.
The reception will have vending machines as well as a check-in area where all guests will need to sign in.
During the meeting, Stevens said the school passes could be issued in conjunction with the passes residents must obtain when they first register.
The question on many people’s minds was funding: The total cost of the center is estimated to be about $12 million to $13.5 million for building and construction, with another $1 million to $1.5 million for gym equipment, entertainment systems, furniture and other interior fixtures.
However, costs are still being estimated from architectural drawings and renderings, so the final bid estimate approved may vary slightly.
The City Council has already approved a center manager with a salary of about $60,000.
Stevens said the center’s operating costs will be covered in part by a $125,000 annual fee the department already collects, and he expects that amount to increase once the center is completed as officials will no longer have to find a venue for each event, while also allowing the department to offer more programming.
According to Stevens and Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer-Gale, a major benefit the center will bring to the city is that it will provide a space for young people to feel welcome. Mayor Holzheimer-Gale noted that studies have shown that when young people interact with other generations, it helps build friendships within the community, helps reduce crime and has an overall positive outcome for all age groups.
She said building community starts with the people around you, and the wellness center could be a way to ease tensions within the community.
“We’re excited to be able to provide both health and wellness opportunities, as well as an opportunity for the community to come together and contribute to crime prevention by working with our youth and providing activities for the community,” she said before the meeting. “This will give us another space to serve as a headquarters, so to speak, for our community recreation and programs.”
“It’s important to note that this is aimed at all ages,” she added, “so when we talk about crime prevention and engaging with young people through mentoring and positive organisations and activities, this really provides an opportunity for all ages to do something.”
