City Looking Into Options for Multi-Purpose Auditorium to be Built

The Scotts Valley City Council has voted to get the ball rolling on a possible multi-purpose auditorium to be built at the Scotts Valley Library property.

The council voted 4-0, with Mayor Donna Lind absent, to spend up to $10,000 on having a conceptual plan of the auditorium created by an
architecture firm. The plan would be the first step in the process and would
allow city staff to then seek out funding opportunities, such as fundraising
opportunities or public facility grants.

“I think this is a good opportunity for us,” Councilmember Dene Bustichi said. “It’s a very achievable goal with very little General Fund money to be able to do something great for our community.”

The property being considered is a part of the library building. The 22,230-square-foot property was purchased in 2009 and was a part of a long-range plan with the first phase being the 13,150-square-foot library,
which opened in June 2011. The second phase of the project has always been the remodeling of the remaining 9,080-square-foot adjoining property as funds became available

The size of the space can fit a full-size basketball court, along with possible office space for Park and Recreation Department staff.  The council is looking into having an auditorium that would be built with traditional wood flooring and could be used for a variety of purposes, such as basketball, volleyball, aerobics, gymnastics, performing arts, and special events.

“There is always a shortage of [basketball] courts and having that available on Saturdays and Sundays through the recreation league would be a benefit,” Vice-Mayor Randy Johnson said. “And we’ve always heard from
the theater community that just having something available for recitals, whether it be singing, piano, theater, there is a big demand.”

City staff will now request proposals from architecture firms for the conceptual plan that will include a rendering of the facility, the cost of construction, ongoing maintenance costs of the facility and ongoing
insurance and liability costs.

“That is the starting point then you have a foundation and a bedrock to build and go on with,” Johnson said.