gymnastics ,” Curran said . “ Then , of course , there ’ s potential for cultural arts programming for the stage area .”
The main building , or Building B , on the lot , will be transformed into a space for both city operations and community use . It is proposed that the first floor will be used for city administrative staff , including fire administration , and will include an employee lounge . The second floor will house a library , classrooms , and a kindergarten room .
The report proposes using the chapel as a wedding venue in the future and the lower building on the lot as rental spaces for City organizations and non-profits . The five-page plan also includes the addition of a mobile skate park that could be introduced as soon as spring 2023 .
City staff also recommended hiring a full-time recreation supervisor and maintenance worker to accommodate
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the changes and reopening of the building .
The proposed plan received encouraging responses from the Laguna Canyon chapter of the Boys & Girls Club and Just Gather , a non-profit organization .
“ We have the need for gym space . We would love to be able to run a girls league at the same time as the boy ’ s league , but we don ’ t have the gym time for that ,” 20-year Boys and Girls Club employee Hans LaRoche said . “ I can see a lot of collaboration opportunities where we could partner up , like the mobile skate ramps . We talked about doing the same thing at the club , so a lot of things that we want to do also for the community . Being able to run dodgeball tournaments , activities in the gym , etc . Keep us in mind . We ’ d love to partner with the City .”
The proposed plan for St . Catherine received a positive response promising
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for community members looking for space that this plan will provide . Still , concerns about the proposed increase in parking and the lack of community input stand in the way of widespread support .
“ I noticed the proposal to convert an existing field to some excess parking . There are some groups in town , flag football might be one , that might be lacking field space ,” Laguna resident Elizabeth Hanauer said . “ I think it ’ s great , this interim use , and I just want to remind everyone that this is a permanent need , so hopefully , when you plan for the long-term use of the site , keep in mind families and youth needs . I think this site is a great opportunity to develop some great things for the City .”
When it came to a vote , the plan passed 4-1 , with Councilmember George Weiss voting no .
“ I was here when we made the
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decision to purchase the property , and I did not have any idea that there was going to be an interim use proposed by the City . I thought Council directed staff to the city manager ’ s offices to connect with the residents to find out what they wanted ,” Councilmember Weiss said . “ We need to have the people look at this place and organizations as well . I like the idea , but I think it ’ s premature ... I find this disrespectful to the community . You ’ re not even proposing these ideas until spring of 2023 . Adult drop-in basketball at 9 a . m .? I just don ’ t see that happening . All of this has to be organized and advertised , and you have to ask the community what they want . I think we should wait until March to do this .”
The City purchased the St . Catherine ’ s property in 2022 for $ 23 million with the support of Laguna ’ s residents and community members .
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