Columbus Center

The Columbus School Building (aka the Columbus Center), one of South Salt Lake's most notable and unique buildings, currently serves as a community center. Located at 2531 South 400 East, the Columbus School building is not only a community landmark, but a vital gathering place as well. The grounds around the building resemble a plaza or garden type area landscaped with pathways, benches, statues, and various plants and trees.

For the unbuilt project in New York City, see Columbus Center (Manhattan).

Columbus Center, South Salt Lake City, Utah

History

Architectural plans for the building were submitted in June 1916. It took less than a year to complete at a cost of $77,100.00, it opened mid-year 1917 as a primary school and closed as a school on June 4, 1968. Shortly after it was converted to house a training center for learning disabled adults, and used for that purpose for about 20 years. In 1974 President Gerald Ford visited the school. In the late 1980s it was decided that it would be too costly to bring the building up to earthquake safety codes and remove asbestos, so the building was used as a warehouse until 1995. The property was sold to the City of South Salt Lake, and in 1997 the architectural firm Cooper Roberts was hired to do a complete renovation of the building. Four years and 5 million dollars later a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on April 22, 2002 to honor the opening of the Columbus Library.[1]

Amenities
Columbus Center interior snapshots showing the front entrance and library entrance, the auditorium, and the gymnasium

Within the Columbus School building is a number of community services. The Columbus Library branch of Salt Lake County Library Services was a main attraction until it closed in late 2020.[2] Additionally there are class/meeting rooms to accommodate up to 90 people, and an auditorium that will accommodate up to 350 people. A gymnasium/basketball court, a senior center, and a kitchen. The auditorium, gym, classrooms, and kitchen can all be rented for special occasions and gatherings.[3]

Several organizations offer many classes at the Columbus Center, either for seniors, adults, or children. Classes include; Spanish Language, Hula Dance, Hawaiian Language, Judo, various types of Karate, Jazzercise, yoga and guitar lessons. Salsa, Swing, Ballroom, Latin, and many other dance styles are taught. By calling the Center, the public can find out about specific offerings and to get information about how to sign up. As they change and rearrange the offerings regularly. The Library also plans and sponsors numerous events and activities throughout the year. Such as art exhibits, book sales, story-time readings for kids, and other book clubs for seniors and adults, and more.

Open play basketball and billiards is available to children in 3rd through 12th grades. The schedule for open play changes throughout the year, so call for times. Parents or legal guardians must fill out liability waivers for their children to participate. Open play is free.[4]

Additional images
  • Columbus Center front entrance
  • Columbus Center facade detail
  • Columbus Center rear entrance

Notes
  1. History on the building obtained from The Columbus Library Information Desk on Feb. 1, 2008
  2. "Salt Lake County Library". Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  3. City of South Salt Lake Archived 2008-03-07 at the Wayback Machine
  4. GoCityKids Salt Lake City | Columbus Center
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