Conejo Community Center and Park Assessment Project
Vision and Mission
Our vision is to enhance the qualities of this unique facility for the benefit of the community while retaining the "spirit" of Conejo Community Center and Park.
Our mission is to plan for the replacement of Conejo Community Center and renovate the Park as necessary through a comprehensive assessment process by engaging the public, stakeholders, and staff.
Project Description
The existing wood-framed Community Center, just over 7,000 square feet in total, was built in 1965 by local volunteer efforts. Most of the 36.4-acre property for Conejo Community Park, also known as "Dover and Hendrix", was transferred from Ventura County to the Conejo Recreation and Park District in 1972. The rolling hillside park is host to the popular Summer Concerts in the Park series held in the sloped lawn amphitheater and also boasts diverse recreation programming, scenic reservable facilities, picnic areas, and a ballfield.
The project proposes to replace the existing 7,000 SF building with a new 19,000 SF building. The proposed new building will be constructed to be a Community Resiliency Center while providing year-round recreational programs and classes, as well as the ability to serve as an evacuation shelter for the community.
Project Phasing and Funding
In accordance with the updated 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan, due to available funding and priority, the project will be completed in phases. As part of our capital improvement project process, CRPD staff will refine the phased project scopes and conduct additional public outreach as needed when project scopies are confirmed. See the TIMELINE section below for current project status.
Contact Information
Should you have further questions that are not answered here, feel free to contact Andrew Mooney, Parks and Planning Director, at amooney@crpd.org or 805-381-1218.
Join our email mailing list! Email your name and address and we will keep you up-to-date.
Current
Phase 1 Improvements - Construction Late 2025
- Baseball Parking Lot Resurfacing
- Restroom Replacement
- Material and Trash Enclosures
- Walkway Improvements
Phase 2 Improvements - Construction Late 2026/2027
- Permanent Stage
- Landscaping
- Walkway Improvements
Future Phases (Replacement of Community Center) - Timeline TBD
- Finalize Construction Documents
- Funding
- Bidding
- Construction
- Continued Public Outreach
November 2024
City of Thousand Oaks Planning Commission approval
Summer 2021-Fall 2024
CRPD staff coordinates with the City of Thousand Oaks Planning staff for local planning approvals.
June 2021
CRPD Board adopts MND for the project and approves an amendment to the contract for further architectural services.
May 2021
Additional community input meetings held to review design development plans.
Notice of Intent to consider the adoption of an Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration of the project (IS/MDN).
November 2020
Additional community input meetings held to review schematic plans.
CRPD Board reviews schematic plans and approves an amendment to the contract for further architectural services.
June 2020
CRPD Board reviews concept plan and approves contract for architectural services.
March 2020
CRPD Board reviews the initial concept plan and authorizes staff to advertise for the RFP of architectural services.
February 2020
Additional community input meetings held to review concept plans and guiding priorities as established by prior community input.
October 2019
Initial community input meetings held
Survey is made available for public participation
July 2019
CRPD Board approves budget for assessment project
Winter to Summer 2019
Stakeholder and staff meetings held
There are no meetings scheduled at this time; however, we welcome your input. Please feel free to share your comments with Andrew Mooney, Parks and Planning Director. He can be contacted at amooney@crpd.org or 805-381-1218.
Past Community Outreach and Meetings
October 2, 2019 Community Meeting Notice
January 27, 2020 Community Meeting Notice
October 21, 2020 Community Meeting Notice
May 3, 2021 Community Meeting Notice and MND Notice
Fall 2020 Recreation Guide (included project advertisement and mailed to over 40,000 households)
Local Newspaper Articles Covering the Project
Thousand Oaks Acorn
February 2020: CRPD Leaning Toward Rebuilding Community Center
October 2020: Park District to Share Vision for New Community Center on Zoom
March 2021: The Conejo's Community Place - Beyond the Acorn
July 2021: New Vision for Community Center Set
Ventura County Star
May 2019: Conejo Recreation and Park District Planning Improvement Projects
Past Board Meetings Regarding Project
Budgeting for Project
July 18, 2019 Board Report - Final Budget, including Conejo Assessment Project in Year 1
Project Specific
March 5, 2020 Board Report - Authorize Staff to Advertise for RFP - Concept Plan Attached
November 19, 2020 Board Report - Amendment #1 of Design Services Contract - Schematic Plans Attached
Letters of Support for Community Resilience Center Program - Conejo Community Park and Center Improvement Project
Ventura County Supervisor - Jeff Gorell
City of Thousand Oaks - Kevin McNamee
Ventura County Fire Chief - Dustin Gardner
California State Assembly - Jacqui Irwin
California State Senate - Henry Stern
City of Thousand Oaks - Andrew Powers
Conejo Valley Unified School District - Victor Hayek
Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency - Brian Stark
Chamber of Commerce - Danielle Borja
Los Robles Health System - Amy Commans
Southern California Edison - Andrew Thomas
Conejo Valley Little League - Stacy Hibbard
Conejo Valley Botanic Garden - Beverly Brune
Project Postcards
Distributed at Conejo Community Center and CRPD Administrative Offices
Current Design Development Plans
Site PlanBuilding PerspectivesFloor PlansFinal Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
FINAL IS-MNDAppendix AAppendix BAppendix CAppendix DAppendix EAppendix FAppendix GAppendix HAppendix IAppendix JAppendix KAppendix LSchematic Package Plans
Site PlanBuilding PerspectivesFloorplansArchived Plans
Conejo Concept PlansWhy is CRPD doing this?
The Conejo Community Center was built in 1965, and much like your home, as it ages, additional maintenance costs are incurred due to deterioration and inefficiencies. Similarly, the needs and desires of the community have changed significantly over the past half-century. An assessment of the facility, with comprehensive input from the public, will allow CRPD to address infrastructure and repair issues, as well as evaluate needs of the community and if a new, or renovated, facility is required to meet those needs.
The assessment process will allow CRPD to plan for future needs, investigate funding sources, and strategize for the implementation process.
CRPD believes the process is essential to the future investment of the community and will produce immediate and long-lasting benefits.
If the building is renovated or rebuilt, what will it look like?
As a result of several public outreach meetings, CRPD intends to rebuild the center, sited at the general location of the current building, as a two-story facility with increased square footage and functionality. CRPD is working with the consultant to develop plans for the new facility. Refer to the PLANS & DOCUMENTS tab.
How much will the project cost? How is CRPD going to pay for this project?
At this time, the total project cost is unknown.
CRPD currently has approximately $750,000 budgeted for the design and development of the project. In June 2020, CRPD hired Andrew Goodwin Designs (AGD) from San Luis Obispo, to provide an environmental assessment of the project and detailed drawings suitable for bidding. CRPD will continue to explore further funding opportunities for construction as plans are developed for the project.
If there is a complete renovation or reconstruction of the center/park, what will happen to the programs? What about concerts in the park and other major events?
At this early stage of the process, information about specific programs is not available. CRPD will make great efforts to minimize disruption to programming and patrons. CRPD will gather and distribute information as soon as it becomes available and relevant in the process.
With major events such as concerts in the park, CRPD will make great efforts to minimize disruption and relocate these events as necessary.
What is the timeline for the project?
Refer to the TIMELINE tab for more detailed information.
How can I help?
Get involved and provide your input! We want to make sure your voice is heard. Email your thoughts to Andrew Mooney, Parks and Planning Director, at amooney@crpd.org or call 805-381-1218.
If you wish to assist CRPD in gathering and distributing information and supporting the process, let us know and we can find a role for you.
If I'm unable to attend any of the meetings, how can I provide input?
You may email your thoughts to Andrew Mooney, Parks and Planning Director, at amooney@crpd.org or call 805-381-1218.
The wood-framed Community Center, just over 7,000 square feet in total, was built in 1965 by local volunteer efforts.
Most of the 36.4-acre property for Conejo Community Park, also known as "Dover and Hendrix", was transferred from Ventura County to the Conejo Recreation and Park District in 1972. The rolling hillside park is host to the popular Summer Concerts in the Park series held in the sloped lawn amphitheater and also boasts scenic reservable facilities, picnic areas, and a ballfield.
The back restrooms, along with the maintenance shed, were built in 1972.
The facility provides a full complement of recreation services; over 50 programs are scheduled each week that serve patrons of all ages. Additionally, the facility is home to the Outdoor Unit of the Recreation Division as well as the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden and Conejo Valley Little League.
