“From Vision to Reality”

In the early 1970’s Washington leaders began to look for potential building sites for a vision … a community center … a gathering place … a place for people to come together for a variety of functions. For more than twenty years individuals who pursued various means to move it forward kept the vision alive. In 1997 Mr. and Mrs. Howard Spurgeon donated land and the non-profit entity known as the Washington Area Community Center (WACC) was created to pursue the vision.

Volunteers began the task of commissioning a feasibility study, raising funds, and more clearly defining the vision. In 2002 at the urging of the city mayor, the community center board reached out to bring five entities together to form an unprecedented cooperative effort. The community center plans were expanded to encompass the needs of the Washington District Library, Washington Community High School, Washington Park District, City of Washington and Washington Area Community Center. The five entities working together to satisfy the needs of the ever-growing population of this small but progressive city entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement on April 3, 2003 as the vision took a giant step toward reality. As Mayor Gary Manier said, “it’s not if we build this, but when we build this.” Six months later the five entities participated in a formal groundbreaking celebration.

For the next two years volunteers worked with WACC’s contractor and architectural firm to develop detailed drawings and estimated costs. Other volunteers continued to secure private donations to be combined with contributions from the taxing bodies. By mid-2005 the construction bids created a clearer understanding of the actual costs associated with the vision. After reaffirming the desire of all the entities to move forward, the WACC board, in December 2005, signed a contract to begin construction. Less than two years later on October 12, 2007 the five entities hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new facility named Five Points Washington. The vision has become a library to travel the pathways to discovery, enjoyment and knowledge; a theater for both student and professional entertainment performances, a fitness facility that includes equipment, gyms, and walking track, an indoor aquatic center with three pools, and a banquet facility for up to 500 people.

Much like a prairie barn-raising of the past, the multi-function facility has become reality through the cooperation, persistence and teamwork of volunteers, donors, and publicly elected officials. By working together combining their resources, skills and experience, they have brought the “vision to reality” for the benefit of all those living in the area.