Following a seven month closure for renovations, Blaisdell Community Center reopens for lunch service Monday, September 22 at 440 S. College Ave., Claremont. Blaisdell is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays.

Work began in February on the $129,976 project to renovate the kitchen, dining space and install a new dishwasher. It was funded in part by the Claremont Senior Foundation Inc., which will reimburse the city for the original contract amount of $120,554. Unplanned contingencies worth $9,422 were covered by the city from its unassigned general fund balance.

“Once construction began in February 2025, several issues arose that were not anticipated in the original scope of work,” read a city staff report. “When the contractor opened the walls to update the plumbing and electrical systems, it became apparent that upgraded wall studs would be needed to meet code. Additionally, it was necessary to raise an overhead beam to meet access and height requirements. Furthermore, the contractor was asked to adjust a wall to accommodate larger appliances and to fabricate the stainless-steel countertop on-site.”