Our
History
We
began as the Southside Senior Activity Center in August 1985. The
organization was located in a building at 33rd Avenue and
Perry Street, and it was a partnership between the Center and
Interplayers Theatre group. In 1988, the Center moved to a two-story
space in the Lincoln Heights Shopping Center. The rent increased
each year and the space was not meeting the needs of the Center, so
in 1996, under the leadership of Donn Thompson, the idea for a new
building arose.
A
feasibility study funded by the Spokane Parks Foundation was
completed in April 1997 and it indicated that a senior and community
center would be a viable facility on the South Hill. But, $1.5
million would need to be raised to support the project.
Supporters
of the new building began looking for property where the new Center
could be built. Three sites were identified and the site at 27th
Avenue and Ray Street was selected for several reasons; - the property was vacant with no plans for future development; and
- the feeling that the Center would enhance the quality of Thornton
Murphy Park and the experience for the greater community.
In
1998, the Southside Senior Activity Center's Site Committee
approached the Parks and Recreation Department and the
Water/Hydroelectric Department to discuss the availability of the
land for use as a site for the proposed senior and community center.
The City of Spokane was supportive of the idea. It would be the first
major cooperative effort between two city departments for the greater good of the community. The project was a "go" and an Architectural Committee of community professionals was formed to select an architect for the building. Three months later, a design was determined and fundraising began.
A
general plan for a capital campaign was completed in October 1998.
Fundraising was driven by the commitment of community volunteers
under the leadership of John Lothspeich, retired community leader and
educator. The kickoff contributor was the Comstock Foundation which
pledged $400,000. It was a tremendous public, private and community
effort that raised $1.5 million. These funds came from 14
foundations, 68 businesses, 26 organizations and 895 individuals. The
Spokane Parks Foundations issued a $100,000 challenge grant to the
Center, which the Center met. After 2 ½ years and countless
volunteer hours, the project was ready.
Under
the direction of then-board president Ray Tomlinson and Dale
Steadman, retired president of Spokane AAA, who served as co-building
chairmen, construction of the facility began in July 2001. As with
all most construction projects, costs escalated to a total of $2.2
million.
The
Southside Senior and Community Center officially occupied the new
building on Jan. 1, 2002. 
©2016, Deke Cloyd/On the edge Images
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