The future Manhattan Beach Senior and Scout Community Center, also known as "the new Scout House," has received a $1.9 million boost from the city.

This contribution, along with an updated partnership agreement between the City and the local Friends of the Senior & Scout Community Center (FSSCC) organization, will allow the project to move forward with the environmental review and permitting process.

The community center will replace the 70-year-old Scout House adjacent to the Joslyn Center on Valley Drive. The new facility will be a shared two-story building with approximately 7,000 square feet of multi-use space. It is expected to be completed in late 2025.

The project was first brought to the city 12 years ago. After multiple discussions and arrangements, the city committed $1 million to the project in 2018. FSSCC subsequently raised more than $2.5 million in donations and pledges toward the project. 

However, with COVID-19 delays and with construction costs rising, the group learned that they would need an additional $1.899 million to complete the job. As part of an agreement between the city and the FSSCC, the City Council unanimously agreed to make that commitment at its May 17 meeting.

The current 2,300 square foot single-story Scout House, built by volunteers in 1952, has seen generations of scout troops in Manhattan Beach and was home to the world's first Pinewood Derby.

The proposed new building, designed by local architect Louie Tomaro, will contain approximately 7,000 square feet of multi-use space. That space will be dedicated to older adults Monday through Friday prior to 3:00 p.m., and to scouts thereafter. However, 1,000 square feet of space will be reserved exclusively for older adult use.

The completed facility will include classrooms, meeting space, a courtyard, and a full kitchen.  

Tauber told the City Council that the current space was severely inadequate for both youth and adult needs. 

"Manhattan Beach programs are very active and alive and well, and we are bursting for more space," said Tauber. "Our best resources are our youth and adult populations...We should not stifle this opportunity to grow and prosper. Manhattan Beach needs this building."

According to Beth Gessner, vice chair of the FSSCC board, donors to the project include 19 local businesses, organizations, and corporations; 48 scout troops; and nearly 400 individuals and families, with donations ranging from $5 to $250,000,

FSSCC board member Bonnie Schwartz told City Council that although the volunteer board had met "every challenge that has been presented" throughout the pandemic, the group has "truly exhausted" local fundraising resources.

Councilmembers, at least two of whom have seen this item discussed for more than a decade, agreed with the need to move the project forward.

Mayor Pro Tem Steve Napolitano said that he would like to see a larger-scale project that would also include updating the current Joslyn Center and post office facilities along that entire block, although he did not want to see the scout house project delayed any further.

Councilmember Richard Montgomery also urged Tomaro, if possible, to expand the square footage even further, given the growing needs of the community.

Councilmember Joe Franklin added that he would encourage the FSSCC board to continue fundraising efforts. "Once people see it break ground, and they get excited about what's going on there, we can have another layer of bricks," he said.

Councilmember Suzanne Hadley, speaking from home while recovering from a back injury, gave the project an enthusiastic cheer. "This really is a model of public private partnerships," she said.

"It's an exciting project to support, and it's an exciting project to envision," concluded Manhattan Beach Mayor Hildy Stern. "I really thank [FSSCC] for your resilience, but also because you have brought something to this city that is just unanimously supported - and I can’t think in the last three-plus years when there’s been something that’s just been this exciting for everybody to wrap their arms around. And the way that this combines so many community interests, it’s just really nice to have this to look forward to."