VIPs Get an Early Preview of the New Community Center at Lake Chelan

Attendees tour 46,000 sq. ft. facility and hear a message of vision, imagination, persistence, and love.

CHELAN, Washington (April 15, 2023) – Brooke Isaak, Board Vice President of Seven Acres Foundation – the non-profit organization responsible for the development of The Community Center at Lake Chelan – was first to welcome the group of “very important patrons” attending a private hard hat tour of the new 46,000 square foot facility on Saturday. Isaak said, “I like the definition of patron… people who give financial support to others, organizations, a cause, or an activity. And, of course, to a brand-new community center! So yes, you are all patrons that are very important to our mission, our vision, and our success.”

Seven Acres board members gave guests attending the event private facility tours. They received a first-hand look at what will ultimately house a 10,000 sq. ft. multipurpose auditorium that will enable a variety of court configurations, including a full-size basketball court, two practice courts or three volleyball courts, four indoor pickleball courts, and a community meeting space. The center will also include an indoor children’s play area, affordable office space, workstations, a swimming pool, outdoor pickleball, sand volleyball, and more. Board President Ben Williams described the project as more than a dream. He said, “it is vision, imagination, intention, and persistence held together with immense community love and support.”

Williams shared critical milestones in the development process beginning with the August 2020 purchase of a property between Chelan and Manson just off State Route 150, at 103 Big Horn Way. Since that time, Williams explained, “the project has been impacted by the pandemic, economic inflation, supply chain delays, and a noticeable increase in the community’s need for the very type of center we were building. We’ve weathered each storm and anticipate opening this fall.”

As of this month, phase one of the development is fully funded at just over $18 million. This phase includes purchasing the property, design and engineering, site leveling, utility infrastructure, foundations, construction of the main facility, swimming pool, and framework for the gym. At the time of the tour, construction of phase one was approximately 60% complete.

Phase two will complete the gym, parking lot, retaining walls, landscaping, and even the required charging stations for electric cars. But, according to Williams, “it still needs to be funded, with a gap of about $4.5 million.”

Williams appealed to the VIPs by explaining, “Our current grant applications and funding pursuits have at least $1.2 million in the “likely to fund” category. If we can raise additional funds from private donors and other funding sources, we can “bump” $2 MM of the $4.5 MM in current grant pursuits to use for the pool and aquatic center. This is significant because most of our grants come with performance restrictions that require us to use the funds for particular project components.”

“So,” asked Williams, “How big is your imagination for what is possible here? How strong is your intention to help make it happen? Is there more that you can do to wrap even more love around these walls?”

To learn more about or donate directly to The Community Center at Lake Chelan, please visit www.ccatlakechelan.org or contact Raye Evans at raye@sevenacresfoundation.org.