The City of La Center recognized its 20th District legislative delegation on Tuesday, Sept. 16, while celebrating the earlier completion of renovations at the Wheel Club Community Center.
The building, which reopened on April 7 following a $322,500 remodel, has long been a hub for civic groups, youth programs and nonprofit gatherings. First built by volunteers in 1961 and donated to the city in 1990, the Wheel Club’s recent upgrades included asbestos removal, a redesigned kitchen, new siding, landscaping, a flat-screen system and fully renovated restrooms.
The project was funded by a $242,500 grant from the Washington state Department of Commerce and an additional $80,000 from the city’s capital project funds. La Center Mayor Tom Stroben recalled how legislators had visited the building in 2023 when it still had blue cinderblock walls, old kitchen windows and a ceiling that needed major repairs, during last week’s gathering.
“Following that conversation, the delegation secured ($242,500) to make improvements to the building,” Strobehn said.
The mayor emphasized the value of the city’s partnership with 20th Legislative District Sen. John Braun and Reps. Peter Abbarno and Ed Orcutt.
“These three actually have listened to everything that we’ve discussed with them,” Strobehn said. “They’ve taken tours of our city. They’ve spent hours, countless hours, with us.”
Councilmember Myrna Leija also spoke to the delegation.
“I really, really appreciate the teamwork and how we all work together. We have a really good consul here in the (Legislature),” she said.
Councilmember Melissa Fox, who will not run for her council seat to focus on family, added her thanks and reflected on her time in local government.
“I just love this process and have been learning so much,” Fox said. “I’ve lived in La Center my whole life and (enjoy) just being here to be part of this process. I’ll be back … We appreciate you, and thanks to the city of La Center for just supporting all of these great efforts.”
Following the meeting, Strobehn noted the city is already working on additional improvements inside the building.
“Our biggest challenge has been the echoing,” Strobehn said. “We put in some sound-absorbing pads into it. We’ve got a whole other batch that just arrived last week that we’ll be putting in.”
Looking ahead, Strobehn said the city is preparing funding requests for the 2026 legislative session. Priorities include street lighting on La Center Road to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians, and a $750,000 funding gap for a shared-use path on the road’s east side, north of La Center Elementary School.
“Human life is worth more than $750,000, and I don’t want to see anybody (hurt),” Strobehn said. “I've asked the council that if we don't get the grant money or any other future help for that one, that we pay for it ourselves.”
He said the community center renovation was just the start of efforts to invest in the quality of life for La Center residents.
“The community pays their taxes, does their thing, lives their life … and yet there was nothing really going into the community to make it vibrant and healthy. I felt that the community deserved something for their tax paying. I believe this building is a good start,” Strobehn said.
