SOLANA BEACH — Renovation of Fletcher Cove Community Center and the surrounding area is complete. The city held a dedication ceremony March 28 following the conclusion of the third and final phase — park improvements on the southern portion of the site.
Mayor Joe Kellejian said the project demonstrates the “commitment of the community to enhance the quality of life for all of us.”
“The magnificent installation of the outside landscaping complements the beautifully renovated community center,” he said. “This is another valuable asset for the city.”
Within about a month, the property was graded and drought-tolerant vegetation, picnic benches, artificial turf and walking trails were added.
About 80 students from Earl Warren Middle School helped assemble the picnic tables.
Volunteers installed hundreds of plants and hauled 20 cubic yards of mulch.
“The weight of the mulch increased exponentially as the day went on,” said Peter House, a member of the Solana Beach Community Foundation, which funded the project.
“Every single person I called dropped what they were doing and they were here to help the next day,” House said. “This is truly something everybody wanted to be part of. And haven’t we all made a wonderful park together?”
The first phase of the renovation project, completed in November 2010, was mostly grading and improvements to bring the surrounding property into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It included construction of a new parking lot and the addition of handicapped-accessible parking spaces.
Construction on phase two, which was the building upgrades, began in February 2011 and was complete in July, in time for the city’s 25th anniversary celebration.
The project cost approximately $400,000. Funding came from several sources, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, the redevelopment agency and donations the Solana Beach Civic & Historical Society, the Solana Beach Community Foundation and residents.
The city is currently working to create a use policy for the facility.
