The city of Santee is planning a new community center, with construction expected to begin in 2025. This comes after several years of multiple community workshops, City Council meetings, and through COVID, the city said that the project is finally “coming to life” and that this facility is “desperately needed” in Santee and East County in a June 23 press release.
This state-of-the-art Community Center will be a two-story 12,500 square feet facility with additional outdoor multi-purpose space. The first floor includes a reception/lobby and registration area, a 4,800 square feet event center that can be split into two smaller 2,400 square feet rooms, a service kitchen, a 3,200 square feet outdoor patio, 1,000 square feet shaded out-door space, a four-tiered mini outdoor amphitheater and service yard with parking for food trucks accessible to the outdoor patio. The second floor will feature a 1,200 square feet multi-purpose room, an 800 square feet upper deck/patio area and a concession/service room for the out-door deck and multi-purpose room.
The multi-purpose facility and flexible use space in the future Santee Community Center will allow them to accommodate 100% of the Santee population and all ages. According to the press release, thorough research in Santee and East County found that there is an undeniable need for multipurpose space which doesn’t dedicate or reserve specific space for only 41% of the population.
The future facility will be flexible and dynamic so dedicated space won’t be left unused. In addition, by not eliminating the current programing and space for teens and seniors this Community Center will allow expansion on services already being provided. Future programing and activities may include a senior meal program, dances for teens and/or social clubs. The options are endless as this space can adjust as needed for the community.
The facility will also be able to seamlessly accommodate special events, meetings, corporate events, weddings and more.
The current teen center is in a residential neighborhood adjacent to Chet F Harriet school and Big Rock Park. This makes transportation for teens to the facility easier.
The Santee Senior 55+ program meets at City Hall regularly and provides activities all over San Diego County. All these facilities and programs will stay in place and be supplemented and enhanced with programs and activities at the new Community Center.
