A drive along Sierra Avenue is fast becoming a favorite "I Spy" adventure for citizens who are eagerly anticipating the final phases of the new Lewis Library and Technology Center. Not only can they spot constant new additions to the building, visitors are also able to glimpse several new changes to Center Stage and the City Hall Development Services Office (DSO) building. Further north, residents are excitedly watching the

completion of construction at the Village of Heritage Community Center and Fontana Park which includes the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center. Happily, according to city staff, all of these enormous projects are on target and are set to open on time.

The Lewis Library and Technology Center represents an approximate $60 million project and is over half way complete. According to Ray Bragg, City of Fontana redevelopment and special project director, "The Lewis Library is about 60% complete. The roof, including the skylight over the Great Hall should be complete by the end of August."

When construction is finished, the building will be 93,000 square feet and include a children's storytelling center, homework center, a literacy center, a career center, an auditorium, computer workstations, clock tower, cyber café, coffee bar, and local history/genealogy room. Bookworms can start marking calendars for an April opening. While

readers wait, time will be well spent nearby at the newly renovated Center Stage Theatre, the work of which is on schedule for completion by early next year.

Center Stage is located on Sierra Avenue immediately South of the Library. The construction there involves an expansion of the original building that was built as a one-screen movie theater designed by Carl H. Boller in 1937. An adjacent one-story building is being connected to the theater building and will house a commercial kitchen, dressing rooms, and box office. Center Stage is being designed as a dinner theater, but will also have the capability to be used for live entertainment, business meetings, receptions, and classic movie series.

"Center Stage is about 50% complete," says Bragg, "most of the interior framing has been completed and the outside should be stuccoed by the end of August making the two buildings appear as one."

The Center Stage construction will cost approximately $6.5 million and is scheduled to open in February 2008. The opening of Center Stage Theatre will follow close on the heels of the new addition of the DSO building at City Hall.

The anticipated completion date for the new construction of City Hall's DSO building is December 2007. According to Andy Shipper, director of building and safety, "The building is

on schedule and the primary construction is completed. The rough electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and cabling work, as well as the enclosing curtain walls is currently being done."

The DSO will house the Development Services Organization Administration, the Department of Building and Safety, the Community Development Department, the Planning Division, the Land Development Section of the Department of Engineering, and Housing. While the central downtown area becomes a focus point for indoor activities, up north residents will be getting ready to enjoy the new buildings at the Village of Heritage and Fontana Park.

The Village of Heritage Community Center, adjacent to the Heritage Pool at 7350 West

Liberty Parkway, is already a hot spot for summer fun and Dive-In Movies. The center will be host to many fine programs and events. Some of the services offered in the 10,300 square foot facility will include an auditorium that will also be used as two classrooms, a craft room, computer lab, study/meeting room, game room and kitchen area. A large courtyard is also planned for the center.

According to Dan Chadwick with the City of Fontana Public Works Department, "Construction on the $3.9 million facility began in March 2007 and will be completed by May 2008."

Chadwick adds that there is another aspect that will make the Heritage Community Center unique, "When completed the Community Center will be the city's second largest Community Center. The largest is the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Center currently under construction as well."

Unlike the Village of Heritage Community Center which already has the fully operational Heritage Pool, the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Center will accompany the opening of the new 38-acre Fontana Park.

Fontana Park, the $61.5 million addition coming to north Fontana, is right on schedule with an anticipated completion date of April 2008. According to Chuck Hays, deputy public works director, "The project is 60% done. The community center is fully framed, and the electrical and plumbing have been installed. The pools have been excavated and the skate park has been rough graded."

Features include an Aquatics Center, a dog park, a skate park, a covered roller hockey rink/basketball courts, and the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness and Community Center. It will be the largest Community Center and park in the city and is sure to be a popular venue come next summer.

2008 is going to be a year to remember in Fontana. Construction is going on right now that will ensure that the quality of life for local residents will be greatly enhanced for current residents and future generations. The new Lewis Library and Technology Center, Center Stage Theatre, City Hall DSO building, and the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Center at Fontana Park are all within budget and on target for completion. Go ahead get the library cards ready, dust off your theater attire, get your permits ready for processing, and by all means, go get your swimsuit and buy Fido a new leash so everyone in the family can experience the great opportunities coming to Fontana in 2008.