Woodstock Community Center

The Woodstock Community Center is a community center and former fire station built in 1928, located in the Woodstock neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, United States.[1] The building was converted to a community center when Portland Parks & Recreation acquired ownership in 1958. In 2003, community members prevented closure due to budget constraints by forming a group called Friends of the Woodstock Community Center to raise funds and coordinate volunteers.

Woodstock Community Center
The building's exterior in 2012
General information
LocationWoodstock
Address5905 Southeast 43rd Avenue
Town or cityPortland, Oregon
CountryUnited States
Coordinates45.4798°N 122.6188°W / 45.4798; -122.6188
OwnerPortland Parks & Recreation
Website
Woodstock Community Center

History

Originally constructed as a fire station in 1928, the building was converted to a community center in 1958 after Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) acquired ownership.[1] In 2003, City of Portland budget constraints threatened closure of the center. Community members formed a group called Friends of the Woodstock Community Center (FWCC) to raise funds and coordinate volunteers, preventing closure. Volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year to maintain the property and coordinate workshops and other community events.[1] According to the Woodstock Neighborhood Association (WNA), an agreement with PP&R requires that the center operate on a cost neutral basis.[2]

The center had 6,492 visits during the 2011–2012 fiscal year. In 2013, the center had a budget at nearly $33,000 of program revenue and two part-time staff members who also worked at the Mt. Scott Community Center (the Woodstock Community Center is considered its satellite). Volunteers continue to keep the center running, donating an average of 400 hours per quarter and maintaining the building's interior and exterior.[3]

Community role

Over the years the building has hosted numerous activities. In the late-1950s the center began hosting all music education classes offered by PP&R.[4] The music program included children's music, ear training, music theory and strings instruction; classes were offered at the Woodstock location until the construction of the Community Music Center in 1969.[4] More recent examples include Alcoholics Anonymous meetings,[5] clock repair classes,[6] guitar and piano lessons,[2] Halloween parties,[7][8][9] pilates,[2] a pre-school cooperative program,[2] Reed Neighborhood Association meetings,[10] taekwondo,[11] watercolor painting,[2] WNA meetings,[12][13][14] yoga classes and Zumba fitness classes.[6][15] The center also hosts benefit events by FWCC and the WNA to support its maintenance fund through the sale of arts and crafts,[6] plants,[16][17] and raffle and silent auction items.[6] Space at the center can be rented for events.[2] As of 2015, PP&R operates a pre-school at the center.[18]

References
  1. "Woodstock Community Center". Portland Parks & Recreation. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  2. "Community Center". Woodstock Neighborhood Association. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  3. MacKinnon, Merry (April 5, 2013). "Volunteers still keeping Woodstock Community Center open". The Bee. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  4. "Community Music Center". Portland Parks & Recreation. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  5. "Health and Counseling Services: Self-Help Resources". Reed College. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  6. Ashton, David F. "Woodstock Center substantially celebrated by community". East Portland News. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  7. Ashton, David F. (2007). "Spooky kids' events haunt Westmoreland and Woodstock". East Portland News. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  8. Ashton, David F. (2008). "Halloween fun in East Portland". East Portland News. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  9. Smith, Lisa (October 26, 2009). "Woodstock Neighborhood Halloween Party". Portland, Oregon: KATU. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  10. "Eastmoreland-Woodstock Sewer Repair Project". Reed Neighborhood Association. September 21, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  11. Ashton, David F. (2007). "Woodstock hosts neighborhood picnic for 1,500". East Portland News. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  12. "ONI Neighborhood Directory: Woodstock Neighborhood Association". City of Portland. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  13. "Woodstock". Southeast Uplift. Retrieved November 21, 2012. The Woodstock Neighborhood Association meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm at the Woodstock Community Center.
  14. "Woodstock Neighborhood Association Meeting". Foster United. 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  15. Groff, Elizabeth Ussher (October 4, 2012). "Zumba fitness dancing for adults and seniors spreading in Southeast". Portland Tribune. Portland, Oregon: Pamplin Media Group. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  16. "Come to The Woodstock Plant Sale - benefits The Woodstock Community Center". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon: Advance Publications. May 6, 2011. ISSN 8750-1317. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  17. Ashton, David F. (June 4, 2012). "Woodstock annual plant sale supports its Community Center". Portland Tribune. Portland, Oregon: Pamplin Media Group. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  18. Leap, Heather Lee (January 27, 2015). "Woodstock". Metro Parent. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
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