Shipley Center annex gains support with design, donation

First Federal Community Foundation gives $100K for kitchen

By Matthew Nash • October 30, 2019 1:30 am
Karla Forsbeck of Dungeness Design recently submitted plans to engineers for the Shipley Center’s Health & Wellness Annex proposed for the site across the street from the existing facility. Image courtesy of Shipley Center
Karla Forsbeck of Dungeness Design recently submitted plans to engineers for the Shipley Center’s Health & Wellness Annex proposed for the site across the street from the existing facility. Image courtesy of Shipley Center

The first donation is in and plans are up for Shipley Center’s planned Health & Wellness Annex.

First Federal Community Foundation representatives and First Federal staff presented $100,000 to Shipley Center’s staff and board on Oct. 22, kicking off the $1.5 million project fundraising campaign.

Shipley Center executive director Michael Smith thanked First Federal for the donation and said the $1.5 million project “will add much needed capacity for seniors to enhance their physical health through exercise classes and healthy food preparation classes.”

First Federal Community Foundation’s donation will go toward the First Federal Demonstration Kitchen, a classroom for health education, indoor and outdoor cooking demonstrations and social events to benefit seniors and the community, Smith said.

The approximate 6,400-square-foot annex will be built across the parking lot from the center at 921 E. Hammond St., on property purchased with funds from the R. Leo Shipley Estate.

Smith previously said it will feature space for exercise classes, a fitness room, sports courts, multiple tables for ping pong and more.

Shipley Center leaders estimate the current facility hosts more than 1,700 active members participating in a range of events.

The annex will be available to the public for bazaars, catering events, fundraisers, lectures and more, Smith said, and it features “green” and energy-efficient specially paneled walls and skylights.

Design and support

Shipley Center’s annex design was completed by architect Karla Forsbeck of Dungeness Design.

She forwarded her designs to Browne Wheeler of Bainbridge Island on a $33,000 contract to complete the center’s civil engineering, and Pacific Northwest Structural of Kingston on a $6,800 contract for structural engineering.

Smith said center staff and board members continue to seek grants for the project. Donations are welcome by mailing to: Shipley Center, P.O. Box 1827, Sequim, WA 98382, or by calling 360-683-6806.

For more information about the center, email to info@shipleycenter.org or visit www.shipleycenter.org.

Shipley Center membership costs $55 per person per year or $95 for two people living in the same house.

For more information on the First Federal Community Foundation, visit firstfedcf.org, call 360-417-3112 or email to applications@first fedcf.org.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

Pictured, from left, are Miriam Spreine, Judy Lange, Margot Hewitt, Board President Margaret Cox, Board Treasurer Mimi Sutton, Building Committee Chair Joan Hull, Michael Smith, executive director, First Federal Community Foundation Executive Director Jan Simon, Ashley Slezak, First Federal Sequim Market manager, Christy Rookard, First Federal regional manager, Shipley Member Calvin Smith and Board Secretary Virginia Smith.

Pictured, from left, are Miriam Spreine, Judy Lange, Margot Hewitt, Board President Margaret Cox, Board Treasurer Mimi Sutton, Building Committee Chair Joan Hull, Michael Smith, executive director, First Federal Community Foundation Executive Director Jan Simon, Ashley Slezak, First Federal Sequim Market manager, Christy Rookard, First Federal regional manager, Shipley Member Calvin Smith and Board Secretary Virginia Smith.

Michael Smith, executive director of the Shipley Center, discusses plans for the center’s Health & Wellness Annex with Jan Simon, executive director of the First Federal Community Foundation, and Ashley Slezak, First Federal Sequim Market manager. Smith said the proposed $1.5 million project will add about 6,400-square-feet of space for exercise classes, a fitness room, sports courts, a commercial demonstration kitchen and more. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash

Michael Smith, executive director of the Shipley Center, discusses plans for the center’s Health & Wellness Annex with Jan Simon, executive director of the First Federal Community Foundation, and Ashley Slezak, First Federal Sequim Market manager. Smith said the proposed $1.5 million project will add about 6,400-square-feet of space for exercise classes, a fitness room, sports courts, a commercial demonstration kitchen and more. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash

Karla Forsbeck of Dungeness Design recently submitted plans to engineers for the Shipley Center’s Health & Wellness Annex proposed for the site across the street from the existing facility. Image courtesy of Shipley Center

Karla Forsbeck of Dungeness Design recently submitted plans to engineers for the Shipley Center’s Health & Wellness Annex proposed for the site across the street from the existing facility. Image courtesy of Shipley Center