City Of Ferndale: Kulick Community Center Facility Update

Press release from the City of Ferndale:

Reilly Coleman

October 12, 2021

There are a number of building safety concerns with the Kulick Community Center – including the roof, boiler room, supporting joists, and utilities. These safety issues, caused by the building’s age, recent heavy rains, and more, are preventing the facility’s reopening at this time.

The City does not own the Kulick Center. The complex ownership issue must be solved before we can invest significant taxpayer funding into restoring the building.

The appropriate decision regarding the status of the Kulick Center will be further looked at and discussed after the City’s ongoing Facilities Condition Assessment is complete.

We share the community’s love of the building! With that said, the safety of the building and the people who use it must be our primary focus right now.  

Kulick Community Center Update

On Monday, October 12, 2021, City Manager Joseph Gacioch and Facilities Manager James Jameson provided an update to City Council regarding the status of the Gerry Kulick Community Center.

The nearly hundred-year-old building was closed in spring of 2020 due to safety concerns surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. At that time, the aging facility was already experiencing significant HVAC, plumbing, and electrical issues, amongst other concerns. Since then, the building has faced additional structural damage sustained from this summer’s heavy rainstorms. Notable damage was done to the roof, particularly over the portion that covers the boiler room. Minor repairs were performed in August, and further investigation revealed severe deterioration of the concrete joists, which are integral to the support of the roof structure. These joists are critical during the winter season, as additional precipitation can cause further damage to the structure.

There are additional concerns regarding the building’s utility functions and fire hazards, as well as the potential for more problems that may not be currently visible. It is difficult to accurately predict what problems may arise, considering that many facets of the building have aged significantly and are nearing the end of service. The City does not have the initial plans for the building, which creates an added challenge in calculating structural data.

With this information, experts have concluded that significant repairs would need to be made to the structure before it is safe to reopen.

The City’s Decision: What We Know to Be True

Many factors have contributed to the current decision-making process:

• The City of Ferndale has been a tenant of the Kulick Center since 2000. The property is currently owned by the Ferndale School District. One of the potential risks in the City prioritizing the capital investment lies within a concern of efficiency. Additionally, the safety and emergency failure response liability is the responsibility of the tenant.
• Staff and community safety is a top priority. This facility is most utilized by children and senior citizens, so this is a crucial factor in ensuring the facility is safe and operable.
• The Parks and Recreation Department is currently not operating from a central office, proving to be a challenge when it comes to conducting normal operations. A new temporary location for the department will likely be necessary.

For a breakdown of each possible course of action, including associated costs, view the presentation.

Next Steps

1. The Facilities Condition Assessment results will be reviewed in November. At this time, additional recommendations for further action will be decided. The priority will be the protection and preservation of the facility, regardless of any decision.
2. The ownership of the building will be under negotiation between the City and the Ferndale School District. The City is hopeful to reach a new ownership agreement in the future.
3. The City will prioritize the needs of the community and staff to find a temporary staff so Parks and Recreation activities can operate at a normal capacity.
4. Further discussion among City staff, City Council, and the public will be facilitated once more information is available.

Associated Information and Resources

October 11, 2021, City Council Meeting and Agenda Packet | Meeting Video | Meeting Slides

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This press release was produced by the City of Ferndale. The views expressed here are the author’s own.