BLYN – Sequim’s Senior Activity Center got an estimated $18,000 closer to a new building after 125 people attended a gala auction at 7 Cedars Casino.
“It was a great time. We had a lot of great support from a lot people,” said Michael Smith, executive director of the senior center.
Volunteers were still tallying the total Monday afternoon, but Smith said preliminary estimates of the auction and ticket sales Friday night were near a net amount of $18,000.
Under the guidance of auctioneer Corinne Fiske from Northwest Benefit Auctions, participants brought home several trips, including Harrison Hot Springs in British Columbia, Seaside, Ore., Silver Reef Casino plus a hot-air balloon ride and more.
Cameron Cafe donated a year’s worth of pies, and Domino’s Pizza added a year’s supply of pizza.
Smith said the center is kicking off in earnest a three-year campaign to raise enough money to begin construction.
Designs are still preliminary, so Smith said organizers do not yet have a formal estimate of construction cost.
“What we do have is a beautiful 5.8-acre piece of property that will allow us to build a beautiful new center,” Smith said.
The land is just off the Olympic Discovery Trail near Washington Street and Simdars Road.
Architect Roy Hellwig has drawn up the early plans which were displayed at Friday’s gala.
Hellwig has done prior work with the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe and Peninsula College, Smith said.
The gala featured a video fly-through of the design.
Hellwig’s plans for a two-story building include a gymnasium with an upper walking track, a cafe, locker room, arts facilities, a computer lab and a music room.
The current senior center at 921 E. Hammond St. is a former warehouse.
Smith said the Sequim Senior Activity Center has around 1,600 members, with nearly 300 using the center weekly.
For more information phone 360-683-6806 or visit www.sequimseniorcenter.org.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Joe Smillie can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or at jsmillie@peninsuladailynews.com.