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Arrillaga to fund rec center renovation

by Sandy Brundage

The Burgess Recreation Center may soon get a facelift, thanks to developer John Arrillaga.

Menlo Park City Manager Glen Rojas confirmed that Mr. Arrillaga offered to assist the city with the renovation. City staff estimated the total cost of the project at approximately $3.3 million. He said staff will ask the City Council to appropriate $1.75 million at its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 9. Mr. Arrillaga would cover the rest of the expenses.

"We are extremely grateful to Mr. Arrillaga and his generosity toward the city, but more importantly the community of Menlo Park, who use the recreation center," Mr. Rojas said.

The recreation center currently contains several multi-purpose rooms for rental, and kitchen facilities. The renovation would add 1,100 square feet to the center, replace two patios, and improve the interior with new paint, flooring, and other upgrades.

Mr. Arrillaga, a developer and philanthropist, received a Golden Acorn Award this year for his contributions to the city's new gymnasium, which opened Oct. 16. He donated most of the $11.5 million construction cost of the gym, with the city contributing $5.62 million.

Also, thanks to Mr. Arrillaga, the city is about to start building a new gymnastics center in the Civic Center.

The new gym was re-named the Arrillaga Family Gymnasium in his honor; no word yet on whether the recreation center will also get a new name to go along with its new look.