community meeting space
available by advance reservations
The Del Mar Community Building has a conference room that seats 14 around the table, with room for additional participants; a kitchen with a work space that seats 8; and a reception room suitable for very small gatherings.
All of these spaces are available for use by Del Mar community organizations and groups by advance reservation. We will make this space available to the greatest extent allowed by our staff and volunteer resources.
Space(s) you wish to reserve (conference room, kitchen, reception room)
Name, phone number and email address of the contact person
We'll contact you and either confirm your reservation or let you know that the space is not available.
The Del Mar Community Building became a reality on August 28, 2012, with a grand opening and open house attended by 200+ members of the Del Mar community.
The Community Building includes offices for the Del Mar Foundation and
Del Mar Community Connections, along with a large computer lab for DMCC’s brain fitness and
computer training programs. Three community organizations (DMF,
DMCC and the Del Mar Historical Society) have storage space
on site, allowing a collective savings of over $500 each month in off-site storage unit fees. The property also includes a parking lot, a rare
amenity in Del Mar.
Del Mar community groups now have access to a conference room
seating 14, a kitchen with a work space for 8, and reception room, all of
which are available by advance reservation (reservation info here). These rooms are a welcome addition to the community meeting spaces currently available
in the City Hall Annex and the Library.
Newly painted, with trees beautifully trimmed, windows sparkling, and a focal garden
featuring
Agave attenuata specimens donated by Del Mar gardeners
Throughout the summer, a talented team of volunteers and workers worked diligently to transform the building inside and out. More than 35 volunteers, led by project coordinator Betty Wheeler and Renovator-in-Chief Larry Brooks, demolished, rebuilt, repaired, scrubbed, painted, raked, de-weeded, planted, and more. Workers painted the building's exterior and created an ADA-compliant restroom, all within our frugal budget.
Mary Friestedt of the Del Mar Garden Club led a team of gardeners to create a beautiful focal garden featuring Agave attenuata specimens donated by community gardeners, and rocks supplied by Public Works. Bob Zizka created a bamboo railing on the other side of the walkway, beautifully accented by more Agave plants.
Pat JaCoby, DMCC Board Member and DMF Cultural Arts Committee member, led a crew of 15 volunteer painters to paint the interior during an August 16 work party.
The windows now sparkle, old lineolum gleams like new, sunlight streams into the building through the terrific tall windows, filtered through trees beautifully laced by Andy McCracken, and the interior is graced by lovely furnishings and artwork donated by DMCC board member Julie Iantorno.
This diamond in the rough has been transformed into a wonderful Community Building for the entire community to enjoy.
The Story Behind the Del Mar Community Building
In late 2011, the Del Mar Foundation approached the City of Del Mar with
a proposal to use the building at 225 9th Street, former site of the
administrative offices of the Del Mar Union School District, as a
community building, with offices for the Foundation and Del Mar
Community Connections, as well as meeting space that would be available to Del Mar organizations and groups.
On May 1, 2012, the Del Mar Foundation and the City inked an Interim Use
Agreement approving this use for an initial period of two years, while
the long-term use of the property is being determined by a master plan
process for the entire Shores property.
To make the Del Mar Community Building a reality, the Del Mar
Foundation and DMCC committed funds for remodeling, including
an ADA-compliant restroom. Betty Wheeler, the DMF board member
who spearheaded the negotiations for the building and coordinated
its remodel, says, “The Community Building is a reality because of
the volunteer efforts of many community residents, plus tremendous
support from the City of Del Mar.” Assistant City Manager Mark Delin
and the Public Works staff have provided crucial support, as have
volunteers from the Foundation, DMCC, and the Del Mar Garden
Club. Larry Brooks’ building and remodeling skills have been key to a
comprehensive and affordable spruce-up of the building. Watch this space for a listing of all volunteers and special friends of the Del Mar Community Building, which we'll post as soon as the remodel is complete.
Photo Gallery
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Mary Friestedt (far left) organized a work party on August 3 to rake, de-weed, and prepare the grounds in front of the building for beautification. Volunteers from the Del Mar Garden Club, Del Mar Foundation, and Del Mar Communications participated, and the terrific Public Works team, including Paul Thomas (at left), hauled away the yard waste and brought in some dirt for a low-water display that Mary is creating with succulents and rock. Volunteers included Bob Zizka, Sherryl Parks, Charlotte Quicker, Lynn Gaylord, Buck Abell, Alice McNally, Julie Maxey-Allison, Arline Paa, Gale Darling, Lisa, Peter, Katerina & William Lutz, Jill MacDonald, and Carol Kerridge.
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Volunteer Bob Zizka adds to the pile of yard waste during the August 3 work party....
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...and the following week, Mary Friestedt returned with volunteer Jim Stelluti to clear out some very overgrown and over-the-hill Echium. Meanwhile, we've added some small Echium "volunteers" to our list of volunteers who are working to make this community center look better, and we're looking forward to planting some Ceanothus 'Ray Hartman' in this area, come winter.
Click on the photo to see a larger version or to download a high-resolution version. Demolition Derby! Our contractor Bret (at left) and volunteer Ryan (at right) smash things up to make way for an ADA-compliant restroom.
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If progress is measured by the size of the rubble pile, why then, we've made a lot of progress!
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Larry Brooks: Super-Volunteer! He knows how to do everything when it comes to building, rehabbing, and sprucing up, and he has the same frugal mentality that we're embracing throughout this project. If you see something on site that looks better than it used to, chances are he deserves a big part of the credit.
Mary Friestedt of the Del Mar Garden Club led a team of gardeners to create a beautiful focal garden featuring Agave attenuata specimens donated by community gardeners, and rocks supplied by Public Works. Bob Zizka created a bamboo railing on the other side of the walkway, beautifully accented by more Agave plants. 
