|
|
March 1, 2002/Adar 17, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 24
Tri-City JCC to move
LEISAH NAMM
Assistant Editor
After nearly 17 years at its current location, the Tri-City Jewish Community Center plans to move to an interim site in June.
The new site, at 1515 S. Indian Bend, near Price and Broadway roads in Tempe, will house all JCC programs, including schools and summer day camp, until a permanent facility is secured, said Executive Director Ilene Blau.
The lease calls for an initial term of two years, with three one-year renewals, said David Wattel, JCC president.
The JCC currently leases 25,000 square feet in a public school building at 1965 E. Hermosa, in Tempe.
The Indian Bend site, which currently houses a charter school, has useable space of 22,500 square feet, including office and storage space, a multipurpose room, kitchen area, classrooms and parking, according to a press release.
Renovations will begin in May, after the charter school completes the school year and vacates the space.
Repairs and upgrades include replacing most of an asphalt courtyard with a grassy area and playground; improving fencing, landscaping and exterior lighting; adding a security system; and interior and exterior painting.
Improvements include a stove and exhaust hood, kitchen cabinets, as well as plumbing fixtures, electrical work and flooring.
Local businessman Michael Pollack will assist with renovations, Wattel said. A specific dollar amount for renovations has not yet been determined, he added.
Summer camp is scheduled to start at the Hermosa Drive location and move about 1 1/2 miles to the new facility once renovations are complete, Blau said.
The new site was chosen in part for its size. "It's going to be big enough so that we continue all the programs that we have currently with some room for expansion of new programming," said George Goffman, co-chairman with George Jacobson of the JCC planning committee.
The JCC's long-term plan includes building its own campus. The planning committee is currently looking at possible sites, Goffman said.
The JCC is currently paying $60,000 per year to Tempe School District 3 for its use of the Ward School, Wattel said. The new lease price is $13,000 a month, he added.
About a year ago, 22 board members each pledged at least $2,000 toward a relocation fund, which, in addition to other donations, has allowed "adequate funds" for the temporary move, Wattel said.
The JCC also hopes to obtain additional allocation funds from the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, of which it is a constituent agency.
"We will certainly be asking the federation for additional allocation because the expenses associated with our new property are going to be greater than our existing property," Wattel said. "Tempe School District 3 had been very, very generous in terms of leasing the property to us, and we had an excellent deal."
Funds allocations for constituent agencies will be approved at the June federation board meeting, according to Fred Zeidman, federation assistant executive director.
The JCC welcomes assistance from local businesses or individuals to help defray relocation and improvement costs. Call Blau at 480-897-0588.
Contact the writer at leisah_namm@jewishaz.com.
|
