February 11, 2010 in Washington Voices

Community space

Emmanuel center will give better access to services

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When the Emmanuel Family Life Center celebrates its opening with a ribbon-cutting on Friday, visitors will see the culmination of a project that’s been under way for several years.

Spencer Grainger, the interim executive director, said the project sat dormant for some time because it lacked funding.

A $400,000 grant from the Washington state Department of Commerce made it possible to finish the center.

“We have 17,000 square feet here and we finished it for just around $100 per square foot,” said Grainger while giving a tour earlier this week.

The center features a near regulation-size basketball court – which can also be divided into three volleyball courts – a kitchen, classrooms and a community meeting space.

It will be the new home of the Richard Allen Youth Academy, which currently is in the basement of the Bethel AME Church next door.

“When we got ready to finish the center we surveyed the neighborhood to find out what people really wanted here,” said Grainger. “Most people wanted a community gathering place, so that’s our main purpose. We plan to use the big room for movies and concerts, too.”

The Fig Tree newspaper, which operates in an office a bit farther south on Perry Street, will move into a first-floor office space in the Emmanuel Life Center.

The South Perry Learning Center, which provides after school activities, homework help and tutoring, will also move into the center.

“The South Perry Learning Center has a computer lab that’s open to anyone who’d like to come in and use it,” said Grainger.

The Community Colleges of Spokane will have a Running Start classroom there as well.

There is still some vacant space for a neighborhood organization or another classroom.

“We are working with the Perry Street Farmers Market to have them move into an office here,” said Grainger. “And Inland Northwest Community Services will be here, too. Their focus will be on housing for immigrants.”

When finished and full, the Emmanuel Family Life Center will be like a smaller version of a regular community center.

“Our main mission is to provide access to services in the neighborhood,” said Grainger. “That’s why we are here – it’s going to be very exciting to open this.”

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