Bookings for the Los Banos Community Center are being taken now! Anticipated opening August 12, 2010. To make a reservation call (209) 827-7000 ext. 150 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Community Center links:

• Community Center Brochure
• Community Center Promotional Video
• Community Center Virtual Timeline

Community Center FAQS

The Los Banos Redevelopment Agency was activated on September 20, 1995 by City Ordinance No. 889. The Redevelopment Plan for the RDA Project Area was approved and adopted by Ordinance No. 900 of the City on July 17, 1996. The Agency adopted its first five-year Implementation Plan on December 15, 1999 and its current Implementation Plan on December 9, 2004.

Redevelopment Agencies are designed to eliminate blight, promote economic development, assemble land for development, utilize tax increment and bond, invest in infrastructure, construct affordable housing, and build public facilities with the exception of a City Hall. The 5-Year Implementation Plan allows an RDA to set goals and identify projects that reflect the RDA’s mission and purpose.

The “2005-09 Implementation Plan” identified the development or improvement of existing community facilities as one of its goals with the objective of expanding recreation and educational opportunities in the Project Area.

The Community Center is in line with the 2005 Los Banos Rail Corridor Plan which identified space for public facilities that would include a Civic Center. Creation of the Plan included four community meetings with consultants RBF, 150 local residents, members of the Planning Commission and Council, and input regarding facilities, sites, and activities for Los Banos. The Center also addresses a weakness of Los Banos, lack of cultural or art events/display areas in Los Banos, which was identified in the 2003 Merced County Economic Development Assessment.

Below is a timeline of events that has led up to the Community Center:

2003 - September: the Council gave consensus to implement a Community Center Acquisition Plan that would include phasing of a center.

2004 - April: a public hearing was held and the Los Banos City Council approved the preparation of a Planning and Technical Assistance grant to perform a Community Center needs assessment and feasibility study.

2005 - February: a Second Citizen Task Force was created and the planning process began.

Community meetings were held to discuss build out of the Los Banos Rail Corridor and a Master Plan devised. During this time it was agreed an “anchor” would be needed on the Corridor to draw shoppers to the area. It was decided a Community Center would provide that “anchor” and the corner of G and 7^th Street was selected as the Community Center site.

2006 - May: a deposit was put on the property located at the corner of G and 7^th Streets. Beverly Prior Architects was hired to complete the Community Center design.

October: a public hearing was held and City Council approval given for a New Development  Capital Facilities Fee designed to provide additional revenue to the Community Center and other public facilities. The Redevelopment Agency received a $17.5 million tax exempt bond to provide funding for infrastructure, Rail Corridor, downtown revitalization, and construction of the Community Center.

November: the property was purchased with Community Park Development Impact Fees for $1,535,057.00.

2007 – April: Beverly Prior Architects presented four community center options to the Council.

The Council approved the use of $12.5 million from the bond for construction, design, and engineering of the Community Center.

June: the Council endorsed the Community Center Master Plan and Phasing Plan and authorized staff to begin construction of the phase one improvements. (Reason for phasing; total cost of center at that time was more than $34 million)

August: discussion was again held regarding the Community Center budget and on the size and amenities of the Center. Design was also discussed. Revisions to the plans were made based upon Council and community input.

September: a set of revised Community Center plans were presented to the Council. The Council approved Beverly Prior Architects to design Phase I and a portion of Phase II. (Phase I was the grand-room and gym/multi purpose room; phase II included classrooms, lobby, kitchen etc.)

2008 -October: the Council approved the Design Development Drawing for the Community Center, authorized the advertising of Bids to Construct both Phase I and Phase II of the Community Center, and reviewed the proposed budget of $12.5 million.  The proposed budget was as follows:

Note: Tax Exempt Bonds provide buyers the ability to purchases with tax exempt status – ie. they pay no taxes on their bond purchase. This can only happen if the bonds are used only for public facilities, or public infrastructure. These funds cannot be loaned then paid back because they would lose their tax exempt status. Upon taking out a bond of this nature, a finding must be made that the city:

A. can pay back the debt with its property tax (in the case of the RDA it was based only on the RDA area … which is primarily our retail/industrial areas) and

B. that it will within three years complete the projects outlined in the proposal. Reason for the three year expectation – many cities were hoarding their money and earning interest which they would then use for other projects. It was determined this was unethical. So now there is a three year expectation that the funds will be used on the project outlined… it should also be noted one can change the project, but it takes public hearings before the City Council and a new finding.