Politics & Government
New Energy-Efficient Rec Center Set to Open in 2014
The new recreation center will boast energy efficient systems, a large multi-purpose room, an art gallery and majestic views.
The Agoura Hills City Council recently approved the final design for a new, state-of-the-art recreation center.
The much-anticipated building will be situated at 29900 Ladyface Court, right next to the Civic Center, completing a civic complex for the community.
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Once completed, the new rec center will replace the current one, located on Thousand Oaks Boulevard.
“The city is just leasing that property and the lease is up in 2014,” said Amy Brinks, City of Agoura Hills’ director of community services.
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The 22,000-square-foot, two-level structure, once occupied by Temple Beth Haverim, already has one multi-purpose room, according to Tyson Cline, a representative from Roesling Nakamura Terada (RNT) Architects.
Funds for the purchase of the 6.2-acre property came from the city’s 6-year savings program, according to the City of Agoura Hills website.
In August 2011, the city awarded RNT, a Ventura-based architectural firm, the contract, tasking it with the building’s transformation.
“What we’re going to do is add a resilient floor to the existing multi-purpose room to make it more suitable for dancing and other similar activities,” said Cline.
A second, larger multi-purpose room is also included in the plans.
“This second one can be divided up into smaller rooms or it can be connected to a large, outdoor porch for grander events, such as weddings,” said Cline.
The outdoor porch will afford majestic views of the Santa Monica Mountains and the valley.
Aside from more opportunities for banquets and other community events, Cline shared that the new rec center will also feature green building strategy systems and energy consumption reduction techniques.
“We will be using materials that are lower in toxicity, and we will also use storm water to irrigate the landscape,” said Cline. “It’s no longer just a trend these days but more and more clients are requiring it to reduce over-all maintenance costs and be more ‘green.'"
“It will also have a very cultural feel to it with spaces for seniors, teens and artists,” said Brinks.
An art studio or gallery space and classrooms will also be part of Phase III. “There’s definitely going to be a space for public art,” said Cline.
“We are still in the design phase but everything is on target so far,” said Brink, adding that Agoura residents can look forward to the building's completion by the spring of 2014.
“It’s worth the wait because it will be a true community center,” said Cline.