The City’s Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center expansion project has won the coveted 2008 project of the year award from the Southern California Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA), City officials learned this week. The honor is significant from APWA, which is a professional association of Public Works leaders throughout the United States and Canada.
The APWA award program was established to recognize public agencies for outstanding capital improvement projects and public works programs. Project awards are judged in the following categories:
• Cost effectiveness
• Positive impact on residents’ quality of life
• Positive community impact
• Improvement of aesthetics, visual appeal
• Addressing an unmet community need
• Improvement of the environment
• Unique design or notable planning of the program or project
The City’s Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center expansion project, which was completed March 29, 2008 – 20 years after Mission Viejo became a City – was a community affair. City leaders sought input and feedback from community; sports; cultural and performing arts; and other groups throughout the 5-year planning process to ensure the project met current and future community needs.
The center, which is nestled in the Oso Viejo Community Park, first opened its doors in May of 1989, serving a Mission Viejo population of roughly 71,000. Years later, the City’s population bloomed to nearly 100,000, and City leaders identified the need to expand the 11,000-square-foot dated center to accommodate a larger population and offer more services to benefit the community as a whole.
The 13,500-square-foot expansion project included refurbishing the existing building, updating the center with the latest audio and video equipment and other significant site improvements. The Oso Viejo Park received a makeover with two new soccer fields; outdoor seating areas and scenic walkways; a Veterans Memorial Wall; new children’s playground; and an expanded parking lot. Several environmentally friendly and innovative features were incorporated into the project.
Today, the Norman P. Murray Senior and Community Center is a centrally located Mission Viejo amenity – providing an array of community events and programs that benefit residents and visitors of all ages.
The City will receive a plaque for its outstanding expansion project at the APWA Southern California Chapter’s 9th Annual Awards Luncheon in December.
Another APWA award for Dennis Wilberg!!!