City agrees to rec center kitchen update

WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg City Council agreed last month to pay for kitchen improvements at Williamsburg Community Recreation Center.

The upgrade will cost about $1,200, Joslyn Hawkins estimated.

Hawkins, owner of the food business Bloom, contracted with Williamsburg Legacy to lease the concession area of the rec center. She received permission from the city, which owns the building, to put a commercial dishwasher in the kitchen at her own expense.

The dishwasher would remain with the rec center and become the property of the city if and when Bloom leaves, said Hawkins, though she doesn’t see that happening.

The plan hit a snag when contractors said the rec center kitchen wasn’t constructed to handle a commercial dishwasher. The dishwasher requires extremely high water pressure, said Hawkins, so the kitchen needs a new drain and water line and meet health code.

The cost was upward of $5,000, said Hawkins, but she was able to work around some issues with the health inspector to get the cost nearer $1,000,

The improvement will be there for anyone who runs in the kitchen at the rec center after Bloom leaves, Hawkins said.

Councilman Jake Tornholm said he felt the rec center should make the request to the city, though Hawkins said Director Nicole Winegarden and Assistant Director Mitch Stahl have been in on the discussions.

“Legacy is aware of this,” said Mayor Adam Grier. Legacy runs the rec center for the city.

Because the city has approved a sublease for Bloom, City Attorney Eric Tindal didn’t have a problem with the council approving the plan as outlined by Hawkins.

Grier said he feels better getting the information from Hawkins who has talked to the contractors herself and has firsthand knowledge of the situation.

Hawkins said she knows the community is excited to have a food option other than concession stand food such as popcorn.

“And if I walk out, I can’t take a floor drain with me,” Hawkins said.

The council voted to make the updates to the kitchen upon the condition that the Williamsburg Legacy sends an email approving the plan.