Public Hearing Tonight To Review Corte Madera Rec Center Plans
Tonight at 6:30 pm is the Public Hearing for the proposed plans for the Corte Madera Recreation Center, and will be at the Rec Center.
If you’re interested in the future of Corte Madera as a town, or even just interested in your property values, then you need to attend this meeting.
The Rec Center is definitely in need of updating. Everyone agrees on that. But how, and for how much, will be hotly debated, and in some way, paid for by you if you own a home in Corte Madera.
This building has a lot of emotional value in it. It was built - by hand - by members of the Corte Madera Lions Club in the late 1950’s. The Lions Club still holds their weekly dinner meeting at the Rec Center every Thursday night, and some of the men who worked on it are there for every meeting. I know, I’m a member now.
Word has it the new plans call for razing the building and erecting an entirely new structure. Many believe that this is completely unnecessary, unduly expensive, and ignores the historical value of the structure. The building is steel frame construction, has no real structural issues, and still has lots of emotion wrapped up in it. An extensive remodel, and possible expansion, would be a terrific solution, as well as economically sensible.
Residents of the Pixley condominiums had a lot to do with de-railing the remodel plan known as Measure J eight years ago, as did other interest groups. They, as well as residents of Chapman Park and Madera Gardens will be directly affected by any change in the Rec Center as it relates to traffic and possible noise.
More importantly though, all residents of the town use the Center, as do many residents of Larkspur and Kentfield (both of which lack community centers). The way the Rec Center looks, how it is used, and who uses it will affect the future of Corte Madera, and therefore property values. If you own a home in Corte Madera, stop by tonight, learn what is going on, and most importantly, express your opinion on what you see.
