In 2011 the city planned to close the center due to budgetary cutbacks. The McKinley Library located inside the center would likely have closed. Friends of East Sacramento stepped in to lease and manage the center using the successful nonprofit model of the Sierra 2 Center for the Arts in Curtis Park. In early 2012 Friends raised $40,000 to help fund for the transitional first year which started in October 2013. The lease term is 5 years.
The operation and maintenance of the center is now funded by its rental income and professionally marketed and managed by the Friends. An experienced facility manager is on site during all open hours of operation, a practice the city had abandoned several years ago.
The maintenance of the center had been neglected by the city and was last renovated in 1997. To help maximize rental income Friends established a restoration plan for the 75-year-old historic building valued at $125,000. Work included extensive woodwork restoration in the Grand Hall, refinishing doors, new paint, carpet and furnishings along with entrance and lobby improvements. To date they have raised $120,000. The restoration work was complete in early 2013.
You can read more about how the Clunie Community Center was saved here:
- Sweatin’ for McKinley! - June 23, 2012
- Your Name Here - Plaques for people who give to $100,000 Clunie center restoration – June 2012
- Lessons Learned - How a neighborhood came together to save a threatened landmark – February 2012
- Worth Saving? - Act now; the future of Clunie Center and McKinley Library is at stake – December 2011