On December 1, 2015, the Coronado City Council awarded a construction contract for what was termed the new “Coronado Activity Center”. The building will house the activities currently conducted in the Coronado Senior Center next to the library, which include the programs of the Coronado Senior Association, such as bingo, bridge and monthly movies, and the activities of the Coronado Lawn Bowling Club. Since the City agreed to fund a replacement building, discussions commenced about an appropriate all-inclusive name for the new facility that would welcome not only the two groups that currently use the existing Senior Center, but other activities for people of all ages. Although the building will not be completed for well over a year, there is a certain urgency in selecting a name because the City and the builder will be fabricating signs and plans and it is preferred that the correct final name be reflected to avoid future confusion. The groundbreaking for the facility will be on January 12th.
On Tuesday, December 15th the City Council will determine the procedure to be used to name the facility. We have received over 30 distinct suggested names to date from on-line sources. The Council could select a name from this list or establish a method to select the name at a later date, such as sending it to the Coronado Parks and Recreation Committee for a recommendation.
Coronado has established some guidelines for naming parks in Coronado. Under a 1984 Citizen Advisory Committee recommendation regarding the naming of parks, we cannot name a park after an individual unless they donated land to be used for the park. Because John D. Spreckels did donate the land the building will be located on, his would arguably be an appropriate name even if the naming recommendations applied to buildings, should that be the preferred choice. The new facility is being largely funded from the generous bequest from Frances Harpst, and several individuals including myself have opined that it would be a fitting tribute to include her name in some way in the facility moniker. Mrs. Harpst donated the money that is funding the building, so could be found appropriate under the naming recommendations, however it appears from individuals that knew her well that she did not want to have buildings named after her.
Many suggestions have included adding the phrase “& Coronado Lawn Bowling Center” after whatever building name is chosen. Given the independent history of Lawn Bowling in Coronado, it is unclear whether the two public facilities will be linked in the new facility name. This topic can be discussed further at the December 15th Council Meeting.
Following is a list of suggestions put forth by more than one person to date, some with various versions:
- Frances Harpst Citizen Center or Harpst Activity Center or Harpst Social Center
- Spreckels Center or Spreckels Activity Center
- Spreckels West Center or Spreckels West Pavilion
- Spreckels Place or Spreckels Hangout
- West Park Pavilion or West Park Place or West Park Center or Park West Center
- Coronado Activity Center in the Park or Coronado Activities Center
- Coronado Senior Center
- Village Pavilion or Village Center or Village Place
- Emerald City Center
- Stockdale Center or Stockdale Activity Center
- Senior Fun Center
- Park View Center
- Crown City Center or Crown City Pavilion or Crown City Place
- Crown Club or Crown Center or Crown City Pavilion
- Crown Village or Crown Legacy Center or Crown Living Center
- Crown Elder Activity Center or Crown Senior Village or Crown Senior Activity Center
- Islander’s Club or “Da Clubhouse”
- Silver Crown Center or Golden Crown Center
- Orange Avenue Center or Orange Avenue Place or Orange Avenue Pavilion
- Forever Young Center
- Friendship Center
- Connections Center
- Babcock & Story Activities Center
- Center of Wisdom Coronado
Anyone wishing to opine on any of the above proposals or propose a new name should send their suggestions via email to the city council at CityCouncil’[email protected] or to any individual councilmember before the Tuesday Council Meeting.
Submitted by Councilmember Carrie Downey
