- May 20, 2024
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With over $780,000 in state funds in the mix, the Ormond Beach City Commission continues to explore the idea of building a community center at 56 N. Beach St., the site of the former Ormond Union Church.
The commission discussed the property and the community center concept during its workshop on Tuesday, May 7. The city has received $783,059 in legislative funding through a grant by the Department of Economic Opportunity for a new community center at the former church property, which the city purchased in 2018 for $729,000. In 2021, the commission voted 3-2 to demolish the church, largely due to a high estimated cost for restoration efforts.
After the church was demolished, the city constructed a parking lot to help with parking in the downtown until it decided on a permanent use for the property.
The commission is still leaning toward a community center.
"When we purchased that property, that's what we pitched to the public," City Commissioner Harold Briley said at the workshop May 7. "And that's what we pitched to the residents."
Public Works Director Shawn Finley presented a few different community center concepts based on current facilities in neighboring cities for the commission to consider, ranging from a capacity of 141 to 153 people, and between 7,750 square feet and 11,000 square feet.
"I think a building of this size could serve the community well," Finley said. "It could serve a need and it's a building that would be worth doing."
Mayor Bill Partington proposed a two-story community center to better utilize the property, which spans almost 1.3 acres, including the riverfront parcel south of the Ormond Yacht Club. He suggested looking into a building design that would have parking on the ground floor and the center on the second.
"You not only enhance the view because you're up a little higher, but you could have a bigger facility that would still work," Partington said.
Going with such a design could allow the city to increase the capacity. Leisure Services Director Robert Carolin said the demand for a banquet hall for special events is typically closer to 200-250 range.
City Commissioner Lori Tolland said building a community center could still be worth pursuing even if it can't hold 200-250 people.
"I'm sure there's other smaller groups in the city that would utilize that and rent it out even if we can't get to that 250 number," Tolland said.
Should the commission decide not to construct a community center at 56 N. Beach St., city staff would have to go back to the state to amend its grant.
