Community Center auditorium to get barrier-free upgrade, new seating

Tue, May 6, 2008    to del.icio.us

The auditorium at the Grand Haven Community Center, 421 Columbus Ave., was mostly untouched during the recent year-long $4.4 million renovation and expansion of the more than 40-year-old building.

While the city attorney told city officials at the time that bringing the auditorium into compliance with newer American Disabilities Act standards was not necessary despite the renovation of the rest of the center, a complaint filed with the state in June 2007 by former Community Center Board chairwoman Christine Smith resulted in a ruling that it was necessary.

On Monday, City Council voted 5-0 to hire Tridonn Construction Co. of Muskegon to remodel the center's Acacia Auditorium for $27,012. Council also unanimously approved a $31,826 contract with Irwin Seating of Grand Rapids for the purchase and installation of new fixed auditorium seating.

Councilwoman Geri McCaleb, who has been critical of the center project for its lack of barrier-free upgrades to the auditorium, said Monday that she was pleased that the city was now complying with ADA and state laws "to make it accessible to everybody in the community."

However, council voted 3-2 Monday night to reject a separate $13,484 contract with Tridonn Construction for modification of the main audience door from the center's lobby into the auditorium. It would have widened the doorway by about 20 inches to allow double doors, replacing the present single-wide door.

Councilman Ed Nieuwenhuis said the new doorway was not required under the ADA, and the expense was "not good stewardship of the city's money." Councilman Mike Fritz and Mayor Roger Bergman agreed.

"I'd rather wait a year to see if what we have works, because I haven't heard any complaints," Bergman said.

Council members John Naser and Geri McCaleb voted for the new doorway.

Naser said it was odd that council wants "a first-class Community Center" but not a "first-class door, to which McCaleb added an "amen." Naser said it is difficult to navigate wheelchairs through the present doorway, despite being ADA-compliant.

City Manager Pat McGinnis said the two contracts approved by council on Monday would be funded by the current fiscal year's budget for the center renovation, which was completed last summer.

City Facilities Manager Julie Beaton said the work would likely be done this summer, but she has to coordinate the project with the seating company and contractor around when the auditorium is in use. City Community Affairs Manager Sandy Katt said the work should be done in time for the Central Park Players to return to the Community Center this fall after a two-year absence.

The project includes replacing the auditorium's 189 seats with 178 seats, plus five wheelchair wells and five "companion" seats, new carpeting, and a new sound system that includes an assisted listening system.