When I look at the new Sunset Recreation Center, formerly Broadway Middle School, I remember …

I remember being a toddler, accompanying my father, Wally Hamer, to school athletics’ practices. I remember every sight and sound of the old gym, watching my parents coach basketball, volleyball, and every other recreational activity you could imagine. I remember learning to swim in the Sunset Pool, my wonderful teacher, Ann Shaffer, helping me to float on my back and looking up at the ceiling daydreaming as the water rushed over my face. I remember SEPRD’s gymnastics’ program for youth, taught at Broadway Middle School by our wonderful PE Teachers in the Seaside School District, Ginny Hamer and Brian Sigler.

Now, as a parent, I have been able to watch my children grow up in SEPRD. They have learned to swim in our new learners pool and have established friendships and life skills through the preschool and the Start Smart sports program. They have learned a love for recreation and sports through SEPRD.

Imagine the possibilities that the Sunset Recreation Center, formerly old Broadway Middle School, can bring to our community to expand these already great programs and initiatives and improve the local economy through sports tourism.

When I look at the new Sunset Recreation Center, I see the center of our community. I see the future of our community within the walls of the school. I see a recreation center that will draw new families to our community. I see sports and recreation for the young people of Seaside, where they can play and learn within a safe environment. I see arts and culture opportunities for all residents, where community and togetherness are at the heart of our lives. I see pickleball, volleyball, basketball, indoor soccer, theatre, indoor space for kids to play in the winter, child care, and everything in between.

The residents of our community deserve a bold vision. We deserve positivity and unity. We deserve laughter, joy and happiness. Together we can maintain the memories of the past, while building a sustainable and healthy future for our kids and grandchildren, and we are able to do this all without raising your taxes by purchasing the middle school through a flex-lease!

I encourage you to join me to reelect my fellow Board of Directors for Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District: Su Coddington, Celeste Tuhy Bodner, Michael Hinton, Katharine Parker and myself, Erika Marshall Hamer. Visit ProgressforSEPRD.com for more information!

Erika Hamer Marshall

Seaside