Millcreek makes plans for potential purchase of Zem Zem Shrine Club
Jim Richardson, Zem Zem past potentate and current trustee, discusses reasons behind potential sale of property to Millcreek Township.
- Study findings will be shared at public open houses on April 29 and 30.
- Residents are invited to view potential designs, ask questions and provide comments.
Millcreek Township will share results of its Shrine Club feasibility study during public open houses on April 29 and 30.
The township is considering buying the 40,000-square-foot club for use as a community center. Purchase price for the property would be $3.6 million, including 42 acres along West 38th Street and Zuck Road.
Township supervisors signed a letter of intent expressing interest in the purchase in December and have until late May to buy or pass on the property.
The open houses
The public open houses will be held April 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. and April 30 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Millcreek Township Municipal Building, 3608 W. 26th St.
Study findings on the condition of the Shrine Club property and on community center operations, costs and other possible locations will be summarized on information boards at both events. Possible designs for the proposed community center also will be on display.
The open houses are “designed to give residents the chance to ask questions, explore designs and share feedback that could shape the future of recreation and community programming in Millcreek,” a township spokeswoman said in announcing the events.
The community center proposal
A community center to house fitness, wellness and education programs is a top recommendation of the township’s five-year plan to improve township parks and recreation.
The plan was based on Millcreek residents’ parks and recreation priorities and was completed in February 2024.
Other township residents have objected to the cost of buying the club and operating it as a community center.
If the Shrine Club is sold to the township, Zem Zem Temple would build a smaller club on adjacent property and could partner with Millcreek to hold special events at the larger community center, club trustee Jim Richardson told township officials in December.
Contact Valerie Myers at [email protected].
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