2008 is almost here and so is the completion of several important projects helping Fontana stand out as a premier city in the Inland Empire. Years ago, the City Council made a commitment to residents to encourage new growth and prosperity by focusing on enhancing quality of life within the community. A major part of the process concerned the completion and renovation of five community facilities: the Lewis Library and Technology Center, Center Stage, the Development Services Office (DSO), the Village of Heritage Community Center, and Fontana Park.

The Lewis Library and Technology Center: April, 2008

The Lewis Library and Technology Center, a $60 million facility is located at 8473 Sierra Avenue. The beautiful structure is almost complete and will be the largest library in San Bernardino County.

The building is 93,000 square feet and includes the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. children's library, young adult and adult libraries, audio visual materials, reading rooms, homework center, literacy center, career center, Steelworkers Auditorium, computer workstations, clock tower, Book Mark coffee bar, underground parking, and local history/genealogy room.

Ray Bragg, City of Fontana director of redevelopment and special projects states that, "By December, all of the exterior structural work and painting will be done and the walkways completed. Both fountains should be finished and the landscaping should be in progress."

The new amphitheater located behind the library will have its final shape in December, 2007.

An aggressive fundraising campaign by the Fontana Library Foundation is currently underway. For more information please visit the website at www.fontanalibrary.org. The foundation is also a registered nonprofit with Good Search, the national internet search engine which donates to nonprofits when visitors use the site. Please visit online at www.goodsearch.com.

Center Stage: February, 2008

Center Stage, the $6.5 million dinner theater project located south of the library on Sierra Avenue is scheduled to open its first professional production in May, 2008.

"In December, the entire exterior will be stuccoed and color coated and, architecturally, the two original buildings will appear as one. The contractor will be installing the commercial kitchen equipment and working on final interior finishes. The theater operator for the City, Stargazer Productions, will be on-site and well into preproduction work for the first shows," said Bragg.

When finished, Center Stage will serve as a dinner theater venue for live entertainment, business meetings, receptions, and a classic movie series.

Development Services Office (DSO): December, 2007

The DSO is located on Sierra Avenue south of City Hall. The facility 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.

"The Building is nearing completion. Installation of the FFE's (Fixtures, Furnishings & Equipment) begins on or around the 10th of December. Move-in is scheduled for the middle of January, 2008," says Andy Shipper, director of building and safety.

The Village of Heritage Community Center: May, 2008

The Village of Heritage Community Center, a $3.9 million project, located in the northwest at 7350 West Liberty Parkway is scheduled for completion in May, 2008.

The building is 10,300 square feet and includes a computer center, conference room, multi-purpose room, first aid station, banquet room, patios, restrooms, and a large courtyard overlooking the existing pool.

Thanks to the careful planning of the facility's new community services coordinator, Leslie Ramirez, a variety of interests can be explored only at this facility.

"In developing the program design for the new facility we have tried to anticipate the unique needs of the residents in the surrounding area. We have introduced several specialty classes to include the Tiny Tot program, musical theater, etiquette lessons, foreign language instruction, tutoring, and more. The programming will focus on increasing strength and mental alertness with aerobic, yoga, pilates and other fitness programs that are taught by award winning instructors," said Ramirez.

"The remaining work includes completing interior painting, carpeting, and installation of cabling for phones, computers and a public address system, installation of fixtures, furniture and equipment. Landscaping and parking lot improvements will also be completed prior to the Center's opening," adds Dan Chadwick, public works manager for the City of Fontana.

Fontana Park: June, 2008

The $61.5 million Fontana Park Project, which includes the new Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center, is scheduled to be completed in June of 2008, with a grand opening celebration planned for August.

When you drive by the site located at Summit Avenue and Lytle Creek Road you will see that the roofing and exterior walls are being completed on both the Community Center and the Aquatics Center buildings. All of the trellis work for the promenade, which runs from the entrance of the Aquatics Center towards the south east corner of the project, is in place. Work will be starting soon on the forty foot wide Spanish style fountain which will be the centerpiece of the promenade area. The new skate park located on Lytle Creek Road is progressing well and beginning to take shape.

The construction team is waiting for the winter season to pass before completing much of the remaining aboveground work on the pools and skate park. Until then, underground work will continue to progress throughout the colder months.

The landscape design of this project exceeds industry standards and will raise the bar for the City and surrounding communities. With this in mind, 1,000 trees are being planted in the park.

Join the City of Action as we Celebrate

2008 is designated as another year of Action! and reward for years of hard work and planning. Look for grand opening events happening throughout the year and please, join with the City and your neighbors in celebrating a new era in Fontana.