Capital Development future

New community center will offer vital services

Engaging plans for a new Batavia Park District community center downtown will expand programs and amenities for residents of all ages. The former Batavia Professional Building at 150 Houston St. will be reimagined to provide amenities such as an all-inclusive community room, a child care room, a gathering space for active older adults, storage for museum collections and a new home for Batavia Access Television.

“Based on feedback from listening tours, community engagement surveys and focus groups, it was clear residents were seeking a multigenerational facility that would satisfy needs for a variety of ages,” said Batavia Park District Executive Director Allison Niemela.

When the professional building became available, district board and staff “started carving out a new plan to meet the recreational needs of the community – a plan that is within our means and without the need for an additional debt issuance,” she said.

In September 2021, the district purchased the two-story, 12,420square-foot property situated on a half-acre in downtown Batavia. Williams Architects was hired to assist with the design, architecture, engineering and planning for the future home of the community center, she noted.

“It’s an ideal spot in the heart of the Batavia community adjacent to the park district’s Depot Museum and Riverwalk campus,” Niemela said.

Funding for the project will come from the district’s capital development budget, supplemented by a one-time donation from the Batavia Historical Society, which owns the collections for the museum and was previously raising funds for a Depot Museum expansion plan that was halted due to the COVID pandemic.

On Sept. 30, 2021, the district closed on the property for the price of $930,000. After closing costs with credits, the net amount paid was $907,667.

In November 2022, Batavia Historical Society signed an agreement with the park district, donating $430,000 to acquire and improve the property to create additional collections storage space, a museum lab, curatorial workroom and offices for museum staff.

“Community center construction will occur in three phases so the park district can renovate the building by staying within our capital budget and utilizing the District's fund balances,” Niemela said.

It’s an exciting time for the park district and its residents, she noted. “The future plans will address the changing needs and trends of the community, benefitting residents of all ages.”