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Just in case you hadn’t heard, CenterPlace is making a name for itself.
The 54,000-square-foot venue – now marketed as a “regional event center” – has hosted fund-raisers and banquets, political debates and tai chi lessons since opening in September 2005 as part of the Valleyfest celebration.
Last Thursday, CenterPlace celebrated an open house, in part to introduce a new in-house food service provided by Beacon Hill Catering, an addition that was recommended in a regional marketing and communications action plan presented to the city in 2007. The March 5 event included informational booths and tours of the facility which also houses the Spokane Valley Senior Center.
The building on Mirabeau Parkway near the banks of the Spokane River was made possible after voters passed a $96 million capital facilities bond in 2002, an initiative that also provided funds for the renovation of the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center as well as the expansion of the Spokane Convention Center.
In 2003, the Spokane Valley City Council approved a revised design for the building, setting aside space for a two-story senior center that would replace the organization’s existing home on Mission Avenue. The city would also be responsible for coming up with some $3 million for construction costs to supplement the $7 million generated from the one-tenth of 1 percent increase in sales tax approved by voters.
“The public has given us a mandate,” said Council Member Steve Taylor at a meeting in 2003 when the city was contemplating the future of CenterPlace.
That mandate included breaking ground for the building by the end of 2003 or losing out on the $7 million in funding from the bond. By a vote of 6-1, the City Council approved a streamlined blueprint in time for a groundbreaking ceremony in December. By April of 2004, construction had begun.
Prior to the grand opening in the fall of 2005, Spokane Valley City Manager Dave Mercier made it clear that none of the cost to acquire and support the debt for CenterPlace had come out of the city’s general fund. Grants and donations made up the remaining $3 million required for construction.
Community Colleges of Spokane was one of the first organizations to reserve space at the venue, signing on to utilize five classrooms. Eastern Washington University, Spokane Falls Community College and Spokane Community College currently offer courses at CenterPlace.
By the time the building celebrated its grand opening at Valleyfest in September 2005, word was already spreading about Spokane Valley’s state-of-the-art gathering place. With plenty of meeting space, the latest high-tech amenities and a full-size commercial kitchen, the venue seemed to fit the bill for a wide variety of special occasions. Soon organizations ranging from the Alzheimer’s Association to Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services were booking events at the facility.
“This is an example of how governments can work together to get good things accomplished,” said Spokane Valley City Council Member – now mayor – Rich Munson at the CenterPlace ribbon cutting.
The origins of CenterPlace began with the efforts of community advocate Denny Ashlock, a key figure behind the development of the Centennial Trail. Ashlock took up the cause of a civic center and park near the Spokane River along with fellow supporters like Norma Ventris and Greg Bever in 1994 when discussions began with the Inland Empire Paper Co. about donating land for a park and multipurpose community building. Although Ashlock passed away in 1997, his vision for the area formed the foundation for CenterPlace and Mirabeau Point Park.
In the senior center portion of the building, features like a polished wood dance floor, library and greenhouse have turned the site into a true destination place, according to Karen Clark-Parson, senior center specialist.
“People are amazed at this incredible building and the setting here,” Clark-Parson said.
In addition to hosting activities like ping pong, art classes, tai chi and senior fitness, the center is also a weekday lunch site for Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels.
Spokane Valley’s state-of-the-city address last Wednesday was one of the more recent government oriented events to be held at CenterPlace. The venue has also hosted political debates and open house discussions featuring the likes of Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers.
In 2006, its first full year of operation, CenterPlace hosted 494 events. That number improved to 761 last year. Carol Carter, the venue’s customer relations and facility coordinator, said projected revenue for this year is already up 40 percent from 2008.
In addition to working with the Convention and Vistors Bureau, CenterPlace will continue to upgrade its marketing campaign – television ads will eventually run in Idaho, Montana and the Tri-Cities. There are also plans to put up directional signs along Interstate-90 and the Evergreen exit.
“It’s seems like people are starting to hear about us,” Carter said.
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By
Craig Howard
