No.19 Hirao Friend Complex has reopened after renovation

(Inagi Newsletter May 15, 2013 issue)

Thank you to everyone who attended the open house on March 31, 2013. The entire facility has reopened for use since April 1, 2013.
This facility was established in 1976 as Inagi Dai 8 Elementary School and was closed in March 2002 due to the merger with Inagi Dai 5 Elementary School resulting from a decrease in the number of students. After consideration with citizen participation, it was opened in July 2004 as the Hirao Friend Complex.
However, the special building regular report for the fiscal year 2009 was not accepted by the supervising authority, and we were unable to use part of the facility. The city recognized it as a temporary use of the closed school, but the supervising authority made a judgment that differed from the actual usage form.
Therefore, in the first phase of construction in fiscal year 2010, we renovated the first floor and suspended the use of the second floor and above, while again seeking opinions and considerations from the operation council members. In fiscal year 2012, we undertook the second phase of construction for the second floor and above. We renovated fire compartments and restrooms, installed elevators and air conditioning systems, and equipped the rooftop with solar panels, taking environmental measures into consideration.
We apologize for the inconvenience caused to all users during this time, and we would like to express our gratitude once again to the operation council and the registered organizations for their understanding and cooperation in the reopening of the facility.
In the Regular Session of the City Council in the first year of Heisei (2013), an ordinance was established to maintain and manage this facility. The "Inagi City Complex Facility Friend Hirao Ordinance" positions the entire facility and sets individual ordinances for each specific use.
The "Life Culture Facility," which includes rental facilities such as the Citizen Hall, conference rooms, and cooking rooms located on the 1st to 3rd floors, and the "Local Materials Room" on the 2nd floor, which has been relocated from the SHIROYAMA EXPERIENCE STUDY INSTITUE, is available for general public use. The "Education Center" on the 3rd and 4th floors and the "Development Support Center" on the 4th floor are used by targeted children, students, parents or guardians, and School Faculty and Staff. The gymnasium and grounds are now available for use as new "Sports Facilities."
With this renovation, it has become a permanent multipurpose facility that can be widely used by people throughout the city in various fields, so please make use of it.