The City of La Center officially reopened its Wheel Club Community Center on Monday, April 7, after completing a significant remodel backed by state and city funding.
Community members, civic groups and local leaders gathered at Holley Park to celebrate the upgrades to the building, which has served La Center residents since 1961.
“It’s an overwhelming feeling,” Mayor Tom Strobehn said following a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We’ve taken out the asbestos that was in here — the poison that was in the air, the poison that was on the floor — that’s all gone.”
Originally built by a local volunteer group called the Wheel Club, the building remains a hub for community gatherings, youth programs and nonprofit events. In 1990, the group donated the building to the city. The latest renovation, which began Jan. 10, was funded by a $242,500 grant from the Washington state Department of Commerce and an additional $80,000 from the city’s capital project funds. The total cost of the remodel was $322,500.
“The city has upheld the Wheel Club’s efforts by enhancing the facilities through continued maintenance and securing grants to ensure it remains a vital resource to our community,” Strobehn said.
The remodel focused on making the building safer, more welcoming and better suited for community events. Tracy Coleman, La Center’s community development and public works director, said removing hazardous materials was one of the main project priorities.
“There were two layers of asbestos on the floor,” Coleman said. “There was asbestos in the ceiling, so we removed all the ceiling asbestos, two layers on the floor, and we put in new lids and flooring.”
In the kitchen, crews added new flooring and separated the heating and cooling systems from the main room, allowing better temperature control in each area. They also created more space for preparing food and reorganized the layout for smoother service during events.
“We also created a new window entryway area,” Coleman said, referring to an added partition between food service and dish return areas. “We created separation, which is also part of the Department of Health requirements.”
Meals on Wheels was one of several organizations present for the reopening. Its members are expected to benefit from the redesigned kitchen and new service windows, which improve traffic flow and food handling.
“For some of those people, it’s their social gathering,” Strobehn said. “It’s super important, and with the redesign of the kitchen, it’s going to create a better flow for serving people.”
The building’s exterior was repainted from blue to gray. Crews added siding over the original cinder block walls, painted the roof, installed new gutters and built a rock-lined entry path. New landscaping was completed throughout the property.
Inside, the former popcorn-pattern ceilings were removed and replaced with an open-beam design to make the room feel larger and more inviting, according to Coleman. The old projector system was replaced with a modern flat-screen TV with HDMI access. Lastly, the restrooms were fully renovated with stainless steel fixtures, new paint, updated flooring and larger mirrors.
The community turnout exceeded expectations. Despite some rain, the ribbon-cutting ceremony drew a sizable crowd, including curious residents.
“I was in shock, to be honest with you,” said Strobehn. “This tells you how important the community center is to the city of La Center, right? To have a turnout like this.”
The center’s updated design was met with strong support from attendees.
Kirsten Peterson, executive director of the La Center Arts Council, praised the building’s refreshed look and its fit for local events.
“Visually, I really like it because it hearkens to the rustic,” Peterson said. “It feels more open. It’s a lot more light. I love the wide wooden window sills, and those rafters are a really nice country feel.”
Peterson said the new atmosphere supports the council’s workshops and events.
“It’s just a refresh, and so when we do workshops and stuff in here, it’s just gonna feel warm and welcome,” she said.
Strobehn plans to host a special gathering for 18th District state Reps. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, and Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, and Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, once the ongoing legislative session concludes.
“They went out on a limb and went to bat for the city of La Center, which is a very small community in the grand scheme of the state of Washington,” he said.
The city is now accepting reservations for use of the updated community center. Readers can learn more about the community center at ci.lacenter.wa.us/community/community-cen
ter-at-holley-park.
