Westlake Village puts final touches on the civic center grand opening

Acorn Staff Writer


Westlake Village puts

final touches on the

civic center grand opening

The new Westlake Village Civic Center at 31200 Oak Crest Drive (off Agoura Road), which opened its doors in February, will officially be introduced to the community during a grand opening ceremony from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat., March 23, rain or shine.


Festivities will include a ribbon cutting, tours through the new offices, community rooms and library, and a time capsule ceremony celebrating 20 years of cityhood. Free hot dogs and drinks will be offered to the first 1,000 guests.


A tent, according to assistant city manager Audrey Brown, will cover the parking area where people can gather and listen to speeches by elected officials and library representatives. A ribbon will block the way to the civic center courtyard. The ribbon will be cut around 11:45 a.m.


Docents will lead guests through the new facility, Brown said, between 2 and 3 p.m.


The civic center will become a new home for Westlake Village, said city councilman Mark Rutherford. Residents can see the whole facility on March 23.


A historical display, according to Brown, will also be present with former City Councilman Jim Henderson who will speak and answer questions about his book in progress on the history of Westlake Village.


Previous mayor Mark Rutherford’s state-of-the-city video, which captures much of the city’s history, will be presented as well.


Guests can also sign a commemorative scroll that will later go into a time capsule that will be buried at 3 p.m. The contents will include pictures and words explaining the history of Westlake Village. The capsule won’t be dug up until the 50th anniversary in 30 years.


During the event, Brown said, the library will feature a magician, storytellers and balloon sculptors. Musicians will also entertain.


Once the civic center is officially open, community rooms will be available to citizens and groups (with priorities given to organizations with civic-minded purposes).


After nine years of leasing space on Park Terrace Drive in Westlake Village, city and library officials said they’re happy to finally have a permanent place. City officials said they look forward to celebrating their new home.


The new 26,000 square-foot civic center is much larger than the previous 14,000 square-foot facility. It should accommodate growth over the next several decades, according to city manager Ray Taylor. Some of the extra offices and other rooms are already being used.


For example, if a city official is at city hall and needs a place to complete a report or to interface with city staff, he can do so, Taylor said.


City officials who are under contract (such as the city engineer and traffic engineer, who don’t usually have an office on-site) can use the extra space, too.


For more information, call city hall at (818) 706-1613. City hall hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.





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