McClellan, CA – The Camellia Lanes Bowling Alley at McClellan is being revamped and will soon be the new home of two Gateway Community Charters schools, offering innovative educational programs in the charter school construct, to meet the needs of our local communities. The six-lane bowling alley was created inside a single-story WWII utility building, then was expanded in 1970, and refurbished in 1983, to where it became a 20-lane facility with a bar and grill, and computerized scoring.
During the 1999 base closure process, the bowling alley closed when the property was turned over to base redeveloper, McClellan Business Par, LLC. Existing for approximately 40 years as a bowling alley, it has sat vacant until now.
"We just felt that this building had great re-use potential for the right tenant. The structure was sound, and we found that we could create a campus environment that Gateway Community Charters could enjoy, that was different than any other building at the business park," says McClellan Park senior vice president, Ken Giannotti.
“The addition of this building creates a sense of community between Gateway’s schools and will become a key connection for several of its campus buildings.”
CH&D Architects designed a very functional space with the interior lobby as the main focal point. Soft, curved walls with warm earthy tones create a relaxed environment. The central seating area includes glass viewing windows to observe learning activities and the open floor plan provides opportunity for independent student interaction.
“We are excited to be partnering with McClellan Park and CH&D Architects on this unique project. We believe this transformed space will significantly impact our North Highlands community and the greater Sacramento region by providing a quality charter school program in a positive and inspiring learning environment,” stated Gateway Community Charters Superintendent, Dr. Cindy Petersen.
The 18,500-square-foot building will contain the expanded Community Outreach Academy (COA) and the Community Collaborative Charter School (CCCS) administrative offices, 12 classrooms including a lab, reading room, a large open independent study area and teacher/administrative support office space. COA, a successful charter school concept, plans to take occupancy in time for the fall semester. CCCS, which recently received a full WASC accreditation and serves primarily at-risk youth, will relocate for the spring 2012 semester.
Additionally, in Building 1423, McClellan Park is remodeling offices and making minor interior improvements for Gateway Community Charters (GCC) administrative offices. GCC is relocating from building 1042 where it currently shares space with its growing California Aerospace Academy (CAA). GCC plans to occupy the 7,600-square-foot space in July.
McClellan Park is also working with Sacramento Regional Transit to redesign the business park’s bus route to better serve Gateway’s students, as well as more than 100 tenants on the east side of the park.
Creekside Commercial Builders Inc is constructing the building improvements for landlord, McClellan Business Park LLC.
Craig Brinitzer and Breanna Hegseth of Cornish & Carey Commercial represented Gateway Community Charters.
About McClellan Park:
The County of Sacramento selected McClellan Business Park, LLC, in 1999 to acquire and redevelop McClellan Air Force Base. McClellan Air Force Base was renamed McClellan Business Park (McClellan Park) in 2001. McClellan Park boasts a fully-operational airport, full-service hotel, fitness facility, rail system, office, industrial, retail and dormitories. The project consists of 3,000 acres with approximately 8.5 million square feet of useable buildings and 500 acres of developable land and is fully entitled for over 16 million square feet of commercial, retail, office and residential buildings. For additional information, please visit McClellan Business Park’s website at http://www.mcclellanpark.com.
About Gateway Community Charters:
Gateway Community Charters opened its first charter schools in 2003. We have grown from one charter school and approximately 320 students to six schools (over 12 locations) serving over 3,500 students today. We are very proud of our schools, each with its own population and different approach to meeting the needs of students. Our schools emphasize quality instruction and we have been using a performance pay system for teachers for more than four years. While each school is unique, just like our students, each are dedicated to excellence in education. For more information, contact the GCC offices at (916) 286-5129 or visit www.gcccharters.org