The residents of Lititz and the surrounding area have been very fortunate during the past ftfty years, in that concerned citizens have made a Community Center a reality for all to enjoy and be proud of. It started in February of 1944 when Ralph Spacht, a well- known local business man, announced his intention to purchase the former John M. Helman warehouse, located at the Park and Spruce Street, and made a gift of the property to the community to be used as a "Community House."

The property was a large three-story frame structure, containing numerous large rooms which were easily adapted to meeting rooms for local organizations. Mr. Spacht wanted the exterior of the building to have a patriotic look, so he engaged Richard Fleckenstein to design a facade which featured a white building trimmed in red and blue. The distinctive look of the building was captured in many paintings by Lancaster County artist Charles X. Carlson.

The following is quoted by Mr. Spacht from an article which appeared in the February 24, 1944 edition of the Lititz Record. "I bought the building because I felt it would make an ideal Community Center and I want to turn it over to the community without any legal restrictions but with certain moral restrictions. I would to see such things as bowling and an ice cream bar in order that it can be self-sustained. I also would like it to be the center of a community youth program. No liquor and no gambling would be permitted - and those are the moral obligations. As for the details - they must be worked out - then I will make a gift of the building and do not intend to have any further say as to the manner in which it is run."

The Chamber of Commerce had been working for about a year with all local clubs and organizations in an effort to have a community building project launched. The gift of this building solved that part of the problem. The building was refurbished and dedicated on July 10, 1945.

This original center satisfied the needs of the residents for fourteen years. Costs involved in running the Center were underwritten by service clubs in the community. The management was handled by a Director of Recreation, whose salary was paid by the School District. The Budget and Programs had to be approved by the School Board. By 1959, the growing population, the increased availability of leisure time, and structural problems in the original building impelled a search for a better way to serve the community.

The Director's annual report for the year ending June 30, 1959 was prefaced by an announcement that Elmer H. Bobst, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Warner Lambert Pharmaceutical Company, had made known his intentions to support the advancement of recreational activities of the Warwick area by contributing $125,000 towards a new community building. The proposed new building would be erected on the existing site with the acquisition of two adjoining properties. The property of Charles and Norma Brown was purchased for $11,250 and the Lititz Springs Pretzel Co. was purchased for $5,200 in December, 1959. All three buildings were razed to make room for the new building.

Once again, the community and service clubs supported this effort financially. The youth of the community donated $3,200 which they raised by holding dances and other functions. The A.B.C. Club held a Minstrel Show raising $1,750. The Girl Scouts held a rag collection, and the Lititz Community Bowling League donated $15. A fund-drive to raise $50,000, headed by Herbert Kraybill, was launched on June 23, 1960, and ran until June 30th.

Lifetime membership certificates were awarded to anyone who contributed $50 or more. Ground-breaking took place on August 5, 1960, the day after a contract was signed for $149,000. The total cost ended up being $192,000, with 66% of it donated by Mr. Bobst, and a mortgage was secured in the amount of $25,000.

The architects for this new building were Haak and Kaufman. The number of square feet provided would be 11,242, about 4,000 more square feet than in the existing building. The two story structure would include 2 meeting rooms with 400 sq.ft. each and 2 meeting rooms with 600 sq.ft. each. A game room with 1,900 sq.ft. would also be provided along with office space, lounge area, lobby, craft room, and kitchen space. The dedication of the I Walton Bobst Community Center took place on September 30, 1961.

By the early 1980s, the Lititz area had experienced a population growth of 47% from 1970. The Bobst building had no shower or locker rooms, and was placing programs in area school facilities which were also overburdened. In order to develop a better understanding of the community needs, two comprehensive surveys were conducted, one in 1984, and another in 1986. The results of both surveys indicated a strong willingness on the part of the comnumity to support a new center building project. Citizens offered to donate not only funds, but also time, talent, and materials for the project. This encouraging response demonstrated that the spirit of caring, sharing, and working together had not diminished within our community.

Areas of greatest need were identified; several areas were ranked extremely high: 85% of respondents indicated that the greatest need in the community was for an indoor pool; 77% voted for additional gym space; 69% for racquetball courts; 65% for a weight room; and 40% requested space for a game and activities room.

Armed with the results of the surveys -- and the enthusiasm of the community -- Board President Richard Nuffort formed a steering committee consisting of about 40 people. Many hours were spent designing a floor plan for the building on Roy Clair's pool table. The proposed plan would have 44,000 square feet, consisting of a large gymnasitm and an 8-lane handicapped-accessible indoor swimming pool. Tne structure is a pre-engineered building, with a poured concrete slab and factory-fitted steel beams. The exterior is brick and corrugated-steel siding. The building is 5 times larger than the Bobst building, and holds 3 to 4 times more people. Land was secured from the Borough for $1.00 per year for 99 years.

The cost of the project was $1.5 million. Fund raising began 18 months prior to the ground-breaking, which was held on May 2, 1987. Once again, all the citizens of the community and the service clubs were committed to supporting the construction financially.

On June 21, 1989, a symbolic walk from the building at 21 North Spruce Street to the new building at 301 West Maple Street, concluded with a dedication service.