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On 02/11/1949, Seattle Parks Board authorized the use of $385,000 to construct a "fieldhouse" containing a combined auditorium/gymnasium, social rooms, lounges, craft rooms and childcare facilities. The Seattle architecture firm of Naramore, Bain, Brady and Johanson (NBBJ) were commissioned to produce plans for the community center at this meeting. The first shovel fulls of dirt to start construction occurred on 04/26/1949. At this time, the price of the project was set at $321,000. In 06/1949, some neighborhood residents objected to the community center's maximum height of 43 feet. According to a Seattle Times article of 06/07/1949: "The objectors assert their property values are being depreciated by the structure, and maintain that it had been their understanding that a 'low, rambling' type of building would be erected." (See "Loyal Heights Fieldhouse Draws Protests," Seattle Times, 06/07/1949, p. 27.) Due to homeowner objections, the architects, NBBJ, submitted a bill for an additional $18,000 in 06/1949 to cover added design costs. William J. Bain indicated that the firm had to alter the Building design twice: once to move the gymnasium location and the other to reduce construction costs. Again, citizens objected to the rise in cost, but NBBJ got its $21,324 when the Seattle Park Board voted to approve the extra appropriation on 09/08/1949 by a vote of 3-2. William Bain, Sr., was involved in the design of the Loyal Heights Fieldhouse.

Tel: 206) 684-4052 (2010); Originally, the architects, NBBJ, suggested that they could adapt plans made for a previous City of Seattle, Queen Anne Fieldhouse for $3,800. This did not prove feasible, causing a minor controversy when more money was charged. The gymnasium/auditorium was designed to seat 650 people.

PCAD id: 15343