County Chips In $30,000 For Cheney Facility

Thu., July 1, 1999

By Mike Prager mikeprager15@gmail.com (509) 459-5454

Spokane County commissioners last week approved a $30,000 appropriation to remodel and expand the community center in Cheney.

The county is becoming a partner in the renovation of the Wren Pierson Community Center because the city of Cheney provides recreation programs for noncity residents on the West Plains.

In May, the city announced it had received a commitment for a $200,000 grant from the Comstock Foundation. County commissioner approved their share of the project at a meeting June 22.

Parks Director Bob Hudson said the $330,000 renovation will provide an auditorium, classrooms, new space for the seniors meals program, a meeting room and offices.

It is being made possible because the Eastern Washington University day care center, which occupies the upper floor of the Pierson Building, is moving to a new facility on the south end of the college campus later this year.

The city is working on an agreement with Educational Service District 101 to have members of the Spokane Service Team do the work at a cost savings to the city.

The service team provides job-skills training for young people and grants for later college course work.

The renovation on about 7,000 square feet of space could begin as early as December, Hudson said.

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