Dear Editor:
I have lived in Lake Tahoe for over 17 years, and I agree with Ann in what she is saying about taking care of those beautiful bears in Lake Tahoe. They have slowed the speed down, thank God. I saw a bear cry over her cub getting hit by a car. Let’s do something good for those beautiful bears if need give them a shot, but DONT KILL them. People, wake up, they were here first, and keep them alive.
Evon Compton
The SLT Recreation & Swim Center grand opening and the 56 Acres donated by the Dunlaps
While watching the ceremonies dedicating the new recreation center it saddened me that while all these people were taking bows for the construction of the new building, no one even mentioned the name of the one person who made this and so much more possible – Emma Dunlap who was the driving force of the Lake Valley Community Club, it was her community spirit that made this all possible.
It all started with a group of residents in 1935 who wanted to provide activities for the community such as dances, picnics, hayrides and other community activities. They formed the Lake Valley Community Club (LVCC) and became a California Non-profit organization February 2, 1938.
The Lake Valley Community Club originally held meeting near the “Y”, in/near the city’s first schoolhouse that was located about where TJ Max is today. (The schoolhouse was later moved to 2720 Young St. and is now the Carpenters Local Union Hall #1789.)
The Club eventually decided they needed more space and John E. and Emma May Dunlap who owned the Dunlap Field and Tamarack Dairy (1921-2021) donated the parcel of land now referred to as the “56 Acres” to the Lake Valley Community Club.
They built a new clubhouse on the property and the campgrounds. At some point, the Boy Scouts built a meeting hall on the property, however it was demolished in the 1980s. In 195,7 the LVCC built the first permanent public library adjacent to their clubhouse that it is now the Historical Society building.
In 1959, after the passing of the Dunlaps, the Lake Valley Community Club dissolved and donated the library, El Dorado County Campground (Campground by the Lake) and all the land to the only local government agency at the time, the County of El Dorado “For public use”. The City of South Lake Tahoe was incorporated in 1965. In 1975 the City built the old Recreation & Swim Center on the property and plans for the current library began in 1978, it was funded by a state grant and dedicated on April 16, 1983.
The county and city made many uses of the building known as 3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd. (which was apparently the former Lake Valley Community Clubhouse), including a medical building and even City Hall. When the 1984 State Senior Act funding was made available for Senior Centers, funding was petitioned from the State and a community match of some $57,000 was raised by the Tahoe Basin Senior Center Committee (TBSCC, INC) now known as Seniors Inc., expanding the building into the current Senior Center.
In 1997, the City attempted to open an outdoor Ice-Skating Rink, however it went bankrupt. The city then decided to build the current enclosed rink at the cost of $2.5 – $4 million. And now the new Recreation & Swim Center has been built on that land.
All these wonderful community benefits were made possible by the Dunlaps’ generosity. In appreciation of their enormous contribution to our community, I believe we should rename the “56 Acres” to “The Dunlap Community Center” in recognition of the Dunlaps generous gift that made all of these wonderful things possible.
John Messina
Community Center
Kahle and Gardnerville’s multi-generational centers show what a true community facility can be. By contrast, what South Lake Tahoe built feels less like a community hub and more like a tourism-oriented event venue.
The layout is unnecessarily complex.
Kitchen and Senior Meal Service
The kitchen sits beside the basketball court—not near where the Senior Meal Program will serve. As a result:
• Meals can only be stored and reheated in a small upstairs alcove near the 48-seat room—not prepared there.
• Seniors and meal service will have to rely on the elevator to reach the second floor.
Balcony Seating vs. Year-Round Usability
The balcony offers great views and extra seating, but it’s usable only in good weather. Much of the year it will sit empty instead of supporting everyday programs.
Workout Room
The upstairs workout room is cramped and has no ceiling fan for air circulation. With north-facing windows, rising heat, and a second-floor location, it will likely be uncomfortably warm. There’s also no dedicated stretching area unless you use the walking track. A downstairs room can be used for dance, yoga, and stretching, but it’s inconvenient for anyone using the weight machines.
Pool, Party Room, and Community Access
The pool area is spacious and includes an adjacent party room, but the way meeting space is assigned and priced signals the wrong priorities for a community facility.
What the current layout prioritizes
• Only one space functions as a true community meeting room—and it must be rented by the hour.
• Nonprofits and community groups are charged to gather in a publicly funded recreation center.
What would better support community use
• Make at least one indoor space a free, accessible community room—especially for nonprofits.
• Designate the large lobby as an intentional gathering space, not leftover square footage.
As designed, the facility falls short of its promise to “Create Community Through Parks and People,” prioritizing events and revenue over everyday connection.
Elizabeth Symons
