Sunset Recreation Center Renovation & Master Planning

A Building Reimagined: The Sunset Recreation Center

When the coastal community of Seaside relocated their schools out of the tsunami zone to a safer hillside location, the Broadway Middle School was left unoccupied downtown. Realizing its potential, the Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District (SEPRD) decided to purchase the building and revitalize it as a new recreation center. Not only would this benefit Seaside residents, it would also create a new revenue stream for the community. 

The project hit close to home for Klosh Group—with employees living locally, we were invested in repurposing this resource for the community’s benefit. Recognizing our strong coastal construction expertise and dedication to the community, the park district selected us to be their project management partner.

  • Location: Seaside, OR

    Size: 5.4 acres

    Cost: TBD

    Duration: 8 months

    Estimated Completion: February 2024

  • Client: Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District

    Architect: Scott Edwards Architecture

    GC: NA

  • Purchase Negotiations

    Master Planning

    Feasibly Analysis

    Project Management

    Permitting

From best price to best use

Through our understanding of the local market and the existing facility’s conditions, we immediately brought value to the project by negotiating the asking price down by $300,000. Upon purchase, we partnered with an architect and launched into a Highest and Best Use (HBU) study of the building.

Leveraging community direction from a series of town hall meetings, we worked with the architect to draft a plan that included two sports courts and dedicated spaces for special events, youth programs, and after-school activities.

Guides. Experts. Advocates.

Turning an aging middle school into a modern recreational facility is a complex process. We immediately helped SEPRD address three critical challenges:  fire alarm system replacement, submission and approval of a conditional use permit, and property line encroachment from the neighboring Seaside School District.

We addressed the Fire & Life safety study findings by tapping into our extensive local network and finding the right contractor to quickly install a new fire alarm system. Concurrently we worked with SEPRD to guide them through the conditional use permitting process with the City of Seaside to align with newly planned occupancy and use zoning.

Lastly, a federal directive required the neighboring Seaside School District to address improvements their softball facility—however, the plan they drafted encroached on SEPRD property. Klosh Group immediately intervened and drafted an Intergovernmental Agreement between the two entities that clearly spelled out the terms and conditions. This swift action ensured that costs associated with the upgraded softball field (such as maintenance and insurance) would not fall to SEPRD and would allow continued benefit of a field for students.

The SEPRD Master Planning project truly showcases the breadth of Klosh Group’s expertise, which spans all aspects of master planning including purchase negotiation, land use, government compliance, permitting and project management. We enjoy putting these skills to good use—and look forward to helping SEPRD implement their vision to build a facility that will benefit the community as a whole.