The Story
In 1966 Los Gatos had an all-ages community center.
Los Gatos Community Center 1966
Los Gatos was growing, and this building at 123 Main (formerly the library) had just been converted to a community center to provide a central location for youth and adult recreation programs. You can see the words, "Los Gatos Community Center" standing proud.
During the 1960's and 1920's towns all over the South Bay were building community centers.
Back then, we understood the value of having one central place for all generations to gather and were willing to invest to make it happen.
It's been a long time since the words "community center" appeared on any building in Los Gatos.
Today we have a 3-room Youth Activities Center (housed in the old community center building) plus a too-small Adult Recreation Center (which is in need of extensive maintenance).
Los Gatos Youth Recreation Center
Los Gatos Adult Recreation Center
The largest room in these buildings holds a maximum of 100 people. This is too small. We have heard many local examples where large activities struggle to find space, such as: weddings and celebrations, club social events and fundraisers, regional business organization meetings, a job fair, and so on.
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Other Towns Continued To Invest
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In the meantime our neighbors continued to invest, and today most have modern community centers that are the pride of their town.
These are big, light-filled buildings that blend indoors and outdoors, have modern tech capabilities and spaces for large formal gatherings, specialized activities and interesting nooks where friends can just hang out. They serve all ages, from students to seniors.
Los Altos Community Center
Latest 2021. Original 1975.
24,500 square feet. Largest Room seats 180.
Town population: 29,990
Burlingame Community Center
Latest 2022. Original 1949.
35,700 square feet. Largest Room seats 220.
Town population: 29,910
Mountain View Community Center
Latest 2019. Original 1964.
22,000 square feet. Largest Room seats 250.
Town population: 81,795
Morgan Hill Community Center
Latest 2006. Original 1973.
55,000 square feet. Largest Room seats 280.
Town population: 44,478
Campbell Community Center
Opened 1985.
Huge site (former high school). Largest Room seats 299.
Town population: 41,700
Back in 2007 Los Gatos Had Plans For A New Community Center
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Los Gatan's have long recognized the need for our own modern building.
In fact, the 2007 Los Gatos Civic Center Master Plan included a new library and a new 32,000 square foot community center.
The library opened its doors in 2012 and the new community center was next. Unfortunately the project stalled due to a lack of funds on hand after the library, and because other issues arose that took away the town’s attention.
Now Is The Time To Act​
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It's been long enough! Now is the time to build a wonderful new community center for our town.
You can help.
Inform your friends a campaign is now underway.
Encourage them to visit this web site and sign up to receive email updates.
And if you visit one of the many Bay Area towns with a new community center, be sure drop in, check it out, and start imagining.
Together we WILL make this happen!