20 Proposals Received for Recreation Center

City officials will soon begin reviewing proposals submitted by architects vying for the job of designing the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center.

The center, a joint project of the two cities, will be the focal point of recreation and programs for local youth, city officials said.

At a meeting of the Agoura Hills City Council on Wednesday night, council members learned that 20 architectural firms had submitted applications.

“There has been a large amount of interest in this project,” said Audrey Brown, the city’s director of community services.

Brown surmised that interest might have grown out of the fact that few municipalities have the funds to build now.

Agoura Hills and Calabasas have been planning the center since 1993 and both have committed funds in their 1996-97 budgets for the nearly $4.5-million project.

Each is expected to pay $1.4 million of funds received from Proposition A, approved by voters in 1992 for the creation of recreation areas and parkland acquisition.

But city officials still predict a more than $1.6-million shortfall.

The councils from both cities will have a joint meeting after the Nov. 5 election to discuss possible funding options. Brown suggested delaying the meeting until voters decide the fate of the county’s Proposition A of 1996.

If approved, Brown said, the measure would pump an additional $1 million into the community center.

The 28,000-square-foot center is planned for 4.5 acres near the Lost Hills sheriff’s station in Calabasas. Its concept includes a gymnasium, a meeting room, dance hall and fitness room.

Brown said the two cities hope to pick an architect in early November, to begin construction next September and have the center ready for use a year later.