City officials will discuss final plans for a new Burien community recreation center at a public workshop Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m.

The workshop will at the Burien Community Center, 425 S.W. 144th St., and will give the public an opportunity to learn more about what features are proving to be of interest to city residents.

Feedback from public workshops since June, along with input from focus groups and stakeholders, has been used to develop the plans for a new community recreation center that will replace the existing community center.

Senior programs will be located in the new facility.

Long housed in a 1940s-era elementary school, the Burien Community Center was formerly known as the Chelsea Park Elementary School, which closed in 1976. It was sold to King County in 1982 and operated as the Highline Community Center for several years until it was taken over by the city of Burien following incorporation.

The new recreation center is intended to meet the changing needs of the Burien community.

Parks and Recreation Director Michael Lafreniere said this planning process followed through with citizen recommendations made to the city council in 2005.

"We're pleased with the process thus far and have been happy to hear the excitement brewing in the community and amongst the people who use our old facility," said Lafreniere.

"The architects have listened well to feedback from the public have developed a great concept plan for the new recreation center."

Burien officials are planning a public vote in the fall of 2008 on a bond measure for construction of the new facility. In addition to a construction bond, funding for the project could involve a variety of other resources, including banked property taxes that would go toward the senior program portion of the facility, capital improvement program funds, revenue bonds that are based on facility and user fees, and other forms of public and private resources.

In addition to the public meeting, residents and future users of the facility are invited to learn more by visiting the project Web site at www.burienparks.net/center.htm. The public can also contact Burien Parks and Recreation at 206-988-3700.