City council members got their first glimpse Feb. 4 of what could be Burien's new Community Recreation Center.

"I'm looking forward to it," Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak said following a presentation by the Burien Parks and Recreation Department.

Krakowiak called plans for the proposed 66,000 square foot facility "very exciting."

Cost of the new Burien Community Recreation Center is estimated at $35 million with construction beginning in July 2009, according to a master plan prepared for the city by Opsis Architecture.

A grand opening is projected for January 2011.

The new facility would replace the existing community center at Southwest 146th Street and Fourth Avenue Southwest, and would be built at that location.

Council members now will begin to discuss in detail replacement of the existing 25,000 square foot community center, which is more than 50 years old.

One option they will consider is a bond election in August to pay for construction.

"The existing facility is old and the heat doesn't even work," recreation consultant Karen Badalamente told Burien lawmakers. "It has a lot of infrastructure problems and it's not suited for the purposes it's used for."

The master plan calls for the new community recreation center to accommodate Burien's senior center, a gym with a walking/jogging track, a leisure pool, aerobic and fitness facilities including a hot tub and spa, a large community hall with a kitchen, preschool and teen rooms, meeting rooms, and classrooms.

"The proposed facility could fit comfortably on the existing community center site with limited land acquisition," along with some adjacent long-term leases to accommodate parking, the master plan states.

This design is the result of many meetings with stakeholders and members of the public. A survey of 6,000 households in Burien, conducted in December and January, also solicited public opinion on the design and financing of the facility.

Sixty one percent of those surveyed want a new center built at one time, rather than in stages. The same number of respondents said they would or probably would support a property tax measure to fund part of the construction cost, while 25 percent opposed the use of property taxes.

Many members of the public see a need for physical fitness facilities, a variety of pools including a therapy pool, and a theater.

Burien Little Theatre plays are presented on a stage in the existing community center.

Badalamente noted, however, "We can't do everything, we have some constraints on the site and we have a wish list that's far greater than our ability. But we're trying to meet as many needs as we can."

Councilwoman Sally Nelson and Krakowiak both emphasized the importance of a theater area.

"As far as performing arts, we can't put everything in the new center," Councilwoman Sue Blazak responded. "Performing arts are very important but we just can't fit everything."

Councilman Gordon Shaw said he hopes a new facility specifically for theater programs will be part of the city's future.

"I echo what the rest of the council members have said. It's an exciting opportunity for us and I hope we're ready for it," Mayor Joan McGilton declared.

Council members are expected to take up the proposal for the new community recreation center within a month.