Opening Stuff

         Former Pres Tom Meyer opened the meeting promptly at 12:27; with the invocation ably handled by Winston Creel, followed by the pledge of allegiance, led by Mayor Dick Jones, M.D.   Song leader Leroy Fulton coaxed a decent America the Beautiful out of us, followed by a gusty rendition of Smile.  Bill Hite and Winston Creel were busy at the check-in table selling tickets to the March 26^th Collage Concert.

Quiz Question

         The “winning” raffle ticket was held by Kim Barlow, Esq, with assistance from Chief Pat.  Question:  “Have Steelers won more Super Bowls than other three teams combined?”  50-50 shot, Kim (da lawyer) and Pat (da cop) conferred, discussed, agreed and guessed “other teams combined”.  Predictably, they lost.

Announcements

         Illini Tom, acting as the in control Meeting Honcho emphatically stated Rotary Announcements Only.  For the first time in memory, there was abject obeisance. On the 3^rd Saturday of March, 3/19, the all city track meet will be held at 8 a.m.  Assistance is needed and requested.  Ron Gillette, Sunrise made a RYLA District 5320 announcement. Ray Ashcroft wanted to remind us of the opportunity to surprise our spouses on February 14^th with a Singing Valentine.  Being the good Rotarian he is, he refrained [sic].  Call (714) 871-7675 to arrange for a neat surprise to your loved one on Valentines.

Program

            Dan Kiernan provided us with background of the Vision inspired by John Phelps at a Rotary social event, the race track – 9 years ago.  The Vision was to get all the Fullerton service organizations behind a single big project.  Dan and John looked at many possibilities. Ultimately, after Lotsa meetings…Lotsa commissions…Lotsa work - a private/public partnership was formed with the goal of massively upgrading both the Boys and Girls Club and Senior Center facilities.  The planning is complete and they are now getting ready to tear down the Boys and Girls Club existing building. Thereafter, the Seniors Center will come down. A new community asset will replace the old structures.  The new facility will open new opportunities for Fullerton’s youth and upgrade the Seniors Center, while providing a new asset for the Fullerton community at large.  The Vision is approaching reality. 

Fred Johnson.  Two years hence the Boys and Girls Club will move into new facilities that will permit youth to move into a new future with a new vision.  Fred recognized Judy Peterson for working so positively to make the project happen.  Fred mentioned how great it is to have all three Rotary clubs together for this joint meeting to be briefed on the project.  The existing Boys and Girls Club building was built in 1952.  The new joint use building will be larger (57,000’ vs. 31,000’) than the current individual buildings.  Both Boys and Girls Club and Senior Center will maintain all current programs plus add  programs.  There will be computer lab, teen & pre-teen center enlarged, enclosed pool for swimming year round.  The community needed to bring the building, which has served it well, into the 21^st century.  It will continue to be a nice safe haven – improved in more ways than can be described.  Fred introduced…

Robert Coffee, Architect of the intergenerational facility.  The “Needs Assessment took about a year to gather information and put together a plan.  The Project scope includes rework of parcels at Senior Center and B&G club and baseball diamond behind the Catholic church.  The well known characteristic of “Territorialism” of Seniors dictates that there be separate entrances.  Two front doors; one for Seniors and one for B&G club kids are incorporated into the design.  During school year, compatibility is relatively easy, but during summer there is a big potential for overlap.  The overlap has been planned for and everyone is confident that it will work out well.  Over the next few weeks construction crews will be demolishing the B&G club building.  Subsequently, the Senior   Center will be then be taken down and physical construction of the new building will be commence.  The B&G club will move operations to other facilities around town and seniors activities will be moved to Catholic church for the construction period. 

Dan Kiernan summarized by reviewing the fact that many other facilities were visited and the idea that kids and seniors cannot co-exist in the same facility is a myth created by people that get up on the wrong side of the bed.  Talent and support will be solicited from the three Rotary Clubs. Thanks were extended to all involved, as especially to Chris Meyer, without whom the Vision could never have been implemented.  Dan is looking for support and assistance in this project – please direct your inquiries direct to Dan at DanAnnWine@RoadRunner.com For more information, visit www.boysgirlsfullerton.com.

Mayor Jones made the important point that this entire project is being underwritten by redevelopment funds and it is important that redevelopment funds be kept under local control.  Because of redevelopment funding, the money to do this project is in the bank.

Tom Meyer recognized many attendees representing all three Fullerton Rotary clubs for   volunteer efforts to make Fullerton a great place to live.  He pointed out that over $800,000,000 has been spent in Fullerton rebuilding its aging infrastructure.  Being located in Fullerton is now a competitive advantage in Southern California.  It’s a neat City and could have turned out a lot different but for its Visionary hard working hometown volunteers and Visionary city staff.