The city Parks and Recreation Department started the process of gathering the Malibu citizens into workshops and asking them what they would like to see on the 19-plus acre parcel that runs along Pacific Coast Highway in the Pt. Dume area near Heathercliff Road. The parcel, plus $5 million in cash is what the Malibu Bay Company will be giving the city if the proposed land development deal for the Civic Center and Trancas areas becomes a reality.
At the same time the city was asking the citizens what they wanted to see on the not yet acquired land–the ‘no growth’ opposition was out at the Colony Plaza Shopping Center last weekend. Collecting signatures to put an initiative onto the ballot that, if passed it would generally require ballot approval on all commercial projects over 25,000 square feet which would probably effectively scuttle the proposed park and community center on Pt. Dume.
Those at the Parks and Recreation meeting stated clearly what they wanted for that land and on the top of everyone’s list were the three ball fields which would probably mean two baseball fields and one soccer field or some variation on that theme. For the community center, which is estimated to be about 15,000 square feet, the consensus for some at the meetings was for a multi-purpose gym/auditorium/large studio with a series of smaller meeting rooms throughout the complex. Almost all thought there was a need for a permanent senior citizens center and a teen center, although with the creation of the new Boy’s and Girls Club at Malibu High School there was some discussion about this just being a duplicative.
Although there was generally consensus on most things the one area that split the group was whether or not to have a game room with video games. Some thought it was a great way to raise money for the center and others were adamantly opposed.
At one of the meetings there was one table that refused to participate at all. Their position was that they wanted the area to stay just the way it was–as open space with nothing on it.
Summary of the priority items were:
- Inside the 15,000 square foot community center
- Gym
- Multipurpose room with stage
- Small meeting rooms
- Kitchen, capable of catering
- Indoor gym
- Preschool space
- Community lounge
- Multimedia community room
- Showers & locker room
- Library
- Classrooms
- Outside on the 19 acres
- Ball fields
- Landscaping
- Jogging track
- Dog Park
- Tot Park
- Outside volleyball court
- Outside basketball court
- Snack bar
- Bandstand / bandshell
- Community garden