Wellness Center design concepts presented

Rick Monroe

Special to the Village News

The first conceptual draft designs for the Community Health & Wellness Center were presented to the facilities committee of the Fallbrook Regional Health District. Health District on June 15. Next, the full board will review the drawings by Taylor Design at its meeting on July 13.

Rachel Mason, CEO of the FRHD, said the earliest drawings would be finalized would be in early fall. Mason explained that both the June 15 meeting and the July 13 meeting are more about direction than final decisions.

The district purchased the Wellness Center in April 2018 for $1.8 million. Located on 4.5 acres at 1636 E. Mission Road, the complex consists of three buildings: the original church sanctuary, a building with six classrooms and a house that was the parsonage. The board decided March 11 to begin a potential $7.9 million renovation with a design for the former sanctuary.

The preliminary design by the architect is for all-glass in the front and rear of the tall building that is 1,717 square feet. A slide show presented to the committee, which includes directors Barbara Mroz and Stephanie Ortiz, showed the multi-purpose room with seating of up to 120 for a banquet with 10 round tables, a 60-person training room, or a 150-person lecture.

In the smaller part of the building, there would be additional space for an office, restrooms, smaller 700 square foot multi-purpose room, and a 705 square foot commercial/demonstration kitchen. Both the large room and smaller multi-purpose rooms could be used for exercise, social programs, arts and performance.

Mason said at the March meeting that the $7.9 million estimate was to do everything the district discussed in previous planning meetings as a "dream center." The price will decrease – or possibly increase – depending on choices the directors determine at future meetings.

Joe Lowe of Taylor Design said the $7.9 million would include the cost to renovate the four existing buildings and the redesign of the property to include new outdoor event space (pavilion), overflow parking, a meditation garden, children's play area, walking and exercise trails, a new covered walkway to connect Buildings 1 and 2 with Building 3, landscaped areas and two parking lots.

The board said at the March meeting that the conference center should include state-of-the-art sound and presentation technology. The exterior should be aesthetically pleasing, and the outside should be treated as a room with inviting spaces, a walking path or par course, and a useful pavilion area.

The existing classrooms and residence will continue to function as they are currently used.

A consulting firm, Catalyst, will continue to help the district coordinate the design and cost elements.