6 5
3 DATE: October 21, 2024
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Stefan Chatwin, City Manager
Marlene Subhashini, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Derek Schweigart, Parks and Recreation Director
DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: NAME CHANGE OF THE RECREATION CENTER FROM THE
“WILLIAM E. WALKER RECREATION CENTER” TO THE
“FOSTER CITY COMMUNITY CENTER” AND RENAMING THE
CURRENT COMMUNITY CENTER
RECOMMENDATION
Is it recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution to authorize the name change of the Recreation Center from the “William E. Walker Recreation Center” to the “Foster City Community Center” when it reopens in 2026, and to concurrently take action to rename the current Community Center by selecting one of the three options presented by staff.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2023, during the community engagement and design phase of the Recreation Center Rebuild Project, some community members and leaders suggested renaming the facility "Community Center" to better reflect its primary role in fostering community in Foster City. While the old Recreation Center hosted classes, meetings, and private events, the new facility is envisioned as a broader community hub and iconic landmark for all.
On September 3, 2024, the City Council awarded a construction contract to BHM Construction, LLC, a key milestone for the Project which set in motion the approximately 20-month construction phase. Following this important decision,
6 5
3 discussion regarding the facility’s naming was timely prior to construction and development.
On September 16, 2024, staff presented various options for name change of the new Recreation Center for City Council’s consideration and policy direction. The City Council, by Minute Order, gave policy direction to move forward with the name change to the current name of the “William E. Walker Recreation Center” to the “Foster City Community Center,” and directed staff to return with alternative naming options for the current Community Center facility which is connected to the Foster City Public Library building.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
In 1997, when the Recreation Center was being remodeled, the City elected to change the name of the Recreation Center to the William E. Walker Recreation Center for Mr.
Walker’s contributions to the City of Foster City including his election to the Board of Directors of the Estero Municipal Improvement District in 1969, and election to the City Council in 1971 where he served as Mayor/President June 1972 to August 1973.
During the years between 1995 to 2002, various City Council’s discussed the renaming of parks, playfields, and public facilities. The City Council deemed it necessary to address the issue of renaming public facilities after the approval of Recreation Center to the William Walker Recreation Center name was followed by requests to rename the sports fields at Sea Cloud Park in 1999. The City Council directed staff to draft an amendment to Chapter 12.04 of the Municipal Code which would prohibit naming of public buildings, parks, sports fields, streets, pedways, or plazas after individuals or organizations. The amendment was introduced on July 16, 2001, and unanimously passed and adopted on August 6, 2001.
The City Council was supportive of other ways to acknowledge contributions made by citizens which led to the creation of the Sports Wall of Fame at Sea Cloud Park and the Foster City Community Wall of Fame. On November 3, 2014, the City Council revisited the facility naming policy and took no action to change it.
On September 3, 2024, the City Council awarded a construction contract to BHM Construction, LLC, a key milestone for the Project which set in motion the 20-month construction phase. Following this important decision, discussion regarding the facility’s naming was timely prior to construction and development of the signage of the new facility.
In 2023, during the extensive community engagement and design process for the Recreation Center Rebuild Project, there were community members and leaders who inquired whether the current Recreation Center should be appropriately named “Community Center” given the main purpose for the facility in helping to create and nurture community in Foster City. While the current Recreation Center has served as a place for the public to participate in a recreation class, attend a meeting or host a 6 5
3 private event or party, the new Recreation Center will serve the community more broadly as an iconic landmark and community hub for all to enjoy.
On September 16, 2024, the City Council, by Minute Order, directed staff to move forward with the name change of the Recreation Center from the “William E. Walker Recreation Center” to the “Foster City Community Center” upon the reopening of the new Recreation Center, which necessitates renaming the current Community Center.
1.Foster City Community Center Annex (recommended): The current building has been known to the public for many years as the Community Center. Adding “Annex” to the name ties the location into the larger, newer Foster City Community Center building as an extension, but avoids the confusion inherent in renaming the building entirely. It also avoids having to change out the large “Foster City Public Library and Community Center” signage in front of the building, as well as any website or forms changes.
2.Foster City Activity Center: This name recognizes the building as a site for facility reservations and activities, and the name is simple and easy to remember. The caveat is the name may not appear as “business-like” to our many customers and patrons that use the site as a professional meeting space.
3.Foster City Meeting and Event Center. This name captures the range of uses of the site for professional meetings as well as activities and is also simple to use and remember. There was some thought that the term “Event Center” may be too grand and misrepresentative of the use of the site, the size of the site and its meeting rooms, as event centers are typically associated with large sports or concert arenas or very large meeting rooms for large events/gatherings.
Staff preference is for Option 1 due to the advantage it offers in the name tie-in to the larger, new Community Center, and the familiarity of the name to the public. There would also be less work and costs involved in changing the signage, website and any printed or online forms as only the word “Annex” needs to be added to the current name.
It is recommended that the Council deliberate and take action to include their preferred name change for the current Community Center. This action can be made as part of the attached resolution to change the name of the of the Recreation Center from the “William E. Walker Recreation Center” to the “Foster City Community Center”. Both name changes will take effect at the time of the opening of the new “Foster City Community Center” in 2026.
CEQA
These name changes are not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21000, et seq. and the CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs. §§ 15000 et. seq.), including without limitation, 6 5
3 Public Resources Code section 21065 and California Code of Regulations 15378 as this is not a “project” that may cause a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Minimal fiscal impact due to the renaming (minor cost due to changing the large sign in front of the Foster City Public Library and Community Center).
CITY COUNCIL VISION, MISSION, AND VALUE/PRIORITY AREA
Facilities and Infrastructure
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 – Resolution