Cerritos : All-Purpose Design Picked

An all-purpose design has been selected for the 500-seat community room in the planned Cerritos Community Arts Center, easing the concerns of City Council members who have worried that the building will be too opulent to serve local groups.

The council last week approved a design that calls for the room to be equipped for a broad range of community events, including banquets, meetings, and musical and theatrical productions. With a $1.1-million price tag, the proposal was the most expensive of three community room options presented to the council by the center’s architectural team. The council last month approved the $25-million center’s overall design, but withheld a vote on the community room until further details were worked out.

The meeting room will be constructed with movable walls, allowing the space to be subdivided into smaller rooms as needed. It will also be equipped with sound and lighting systems, as well as removable theater seating.

Councilwoman Ann Joynt, who had complained that the arts center is too lavish, said she is happy with the design.