Firstenburg Center Opens Its Doors
By The Columbian Editorial Writers
Sunday, Feburary 26, 2006
Everyone who visits and uses the city of Vancouver's new Firstenburg Community Center that officially opens today will find his or her own favorite features. But one overall theme of the 80,000-square-foot complex deserves celebration even before today's festivities from noon to 6 p.m. It is this: The center is thoroughly multigenerational.
If ever there were a single public facility in town for toddlers, rambunctious 10-year-olds, teens, parents and grandparents to enjoy themselves for an afternoon or evening, the new center at 700 N.E. 136th Ave. looks like it. Even if there are bugs, as is typical with new buildings, the city administration and specifically the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Department deserve a big cheer for striving to build a center that opens its arms to all ages.
For example:
* There is a track around and above a basketball court. Thirteen laps equals one mile. Sure, it's a natural for serious joggers, who tend to range from young adults to middle-aged. But it's also suitable for seniors who enjoy a good brisk walk. In bad weather, they often skip their walk or take a few laps around the inside of the mall. This is an indoor alternative.
* The pool, gym and weight room are perhaps the most dominant features of the center. The community owes a huge thanks to Vancouver-based Nautilus for donating state of the art exercise equipment
The pool is a fantastic recreational opportunity for kids and teens, but be warned: It is not primarily a lap-swimming venue.
* The "Kids Corner" daycare room offers a key service, with an attendant.
* The climbing wall is a great place for kids to burn energy.
* The Teen Zone is a place to hang out. It includes electronic games, big screen TV and will have computers. (However, it'll be a shame if teens don't also use the center for physical activity, too.) Across the hall in the game room are pool and pingpong tables.
* Special event rooms are available to rent for birthday parties, meetings, etc.
* The Trapadero Room, named for a former teenage club in town, is a gathering spot for seniors to play games and learn about senior outings and programs such as good nutrition.
Today's opening will feature performances at 2, 3, 4 and 5 p.m. of folk, country and bluegrass music by the Vancouver-based Misty River four-woman band. But if you miss today's fun, you can check out the center online at www.vanclarkparks-rec.org and click on facilities.
It cannot go without saying that the community is indebted to Ed and Mary Firstenburg, founders of First Independent Bank, for donating $3 million toward construction of the center.
Vancouver City Councilman Dan Tonkovich on Friday said, the Firstenburg Center's opening fulfills a dream that city officials have had for the Cascade Park area since it was annexed in 1997.
"One of our firm commitments was to do our very best to establish a facility out there. But we looked at it as more than a recreational facility. We wanted to expand it so there could be a sense of community."