Columbus Center
Encyclopedia
History
Architectural plans for the building were submitted in June 1916. It took less than a year to complete at a cost of $77,100.00, it opened mid-year 1917 as a primary school and closed as a school on June 4, 1968. Shortly after it was converted to house a training center for learning disabled adults, and used for that purpose for about 20 years. In 1974 President Gerald FordGerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
visited the school. In the late 1980s it was decided that it would be too costly to bring the building up to earthquake safety codes and remove asbestos, so the building was used as a warehouse until 1995. The property was sold to the City of South Salt Lake, and in 1997 the architectural firm Cooper Roberts was hired to do a complete renovation of the building. Four years and 5 million dollars later a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on April 22, 2002 to honor the opening of the Columbus Library.
Amenities
Salt Lake County Library Services
Salt Lake County Library Services is a system of free public libraries serving the population throughout Salt Lake County, Utah. Salt Lake County Library Services is currently ranked 5th in the United States among libraries serving a population of 500,000 or greater...
is a main attraction. Additionally there are class/meeting rooms to accommodate up to 90 people, and an auditorium that will accommodate up to 350 people. A gymnasium/basketball court, a senior center, and a kitchen. The auditorium, gym, classrooms, and kitchen can all be rented for special occasions and gatherings.
Several organizations offer many classes at the Columbus Center, either for seniors, adults, or children. Classes include; Spanish Language
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, Hula Dance, Hawaiian Language
Hawaiian language
The Hawaiian language is a Polynesian language that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawaii...
, Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, various types of Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, Jazzercise
Jazzercise
Jazzercise is a dance-based group fitness program. Each 60-minute Jazzercise class features a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, kickboxing, and Latin-style movements set to popular music. The Jazzercise program was founded in 1969 by Jazzercise CEO Judi Sheppard Missett...
, yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
lessons. Lots of dance styles with offerings of Salsa , Swing, Ballroom
Ballroom dance
Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television....
, and Latin, and a lot more. By calling the Center, the public can find out about specific offerings and to get information about how to sign up. As they change and rearrange the offerings regularly. The Library also plans and sponsors numerous events and activities throughout the year. Such as; art exhibits, book sales, story-time readings for kids, and other book clubs for seniors and adults, and more.
Open play basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and billiards
Billiards
Cue sports , also known as billiard sports, are a wide variety of games of skill generally played with a cue stick which is used to strike billiard balls, moving them around a cloth-covered billiards table bounded by rubber .Historically, the umbrella term was billiards...
is available to children in 3rd through 12th grades. The schedule for open play changes throughout the year, so call for times. Parents or legal guardians must fill out liability waivers for their children to participate. Open play is free.