With Roof Addressed, What's Next Biggest Issue at Kendrick?

Just a day before its show, Broadway Roxs, had to cancel its Friday performance because of deteriorating conditions at Kendrick.

"Our decision was based on the current conditions of the performance space due to a deteriorating roof," a message on Broadway Rox's Facebook page stated. "We simply refuse to risk the safety of our audience members and performers.

The leaking and flooding the roof causes is an imminent issue, Bill Malizia, director of the facility stated at the advisory council's meeting Thursday, adding that it is on its way to repair. 

Councilman Curtis Jones has already committed money to repairing the roof but, because there are multiple roofs at Kendrick Morgan Cephas, deputy chief of staff for Jones, said the council needed to decided which roof it was going to focus on.

Because the Councilman only has $1 million to donate annual to more than 30 recreation centers in his district, Cephas encouraged the council to think outside of the box.

"We have to get a little creative," she said. "Think about grant opportunities. Green is really big now, there are a lot of possibilities there so maybe Kendrick goes green."

Cephas also told the council about Design Collaborative, an organization that offers free architectural design work for places like Kendrick. She said she would bring information about the organization to the next meeting.

Another out-of-the-box idea, Brian Morris said, is generating revenue through banners and signs on the fields or inside the rec center. This could, he added, generate funds as well a partnership between the recreation center and the community.

While a number of fundraising issues were brainstormed, Cephas said the next major task is deciding what is the next priority?

For the next meetings, those in attendance were charged with coming up with ideas as to what is the next priority as well as some short-term solutions.

"We are going in the right direction," Malizia said.