No.19 Hirao Friend Complex has reopened after renovation

(Inagi Newsletter May 15, 2013 issue)

Thank you to everyone who attended the preview event on March 31, 2013. The entire facility has reopened for use since April 1, 2013.
This facility was established as Inagi City Eighth Elementary School in 1976 and was closed in March 2002 due to a decrease in the number of students, which led to its merger with Inagi City Fifth Elementary School. After consideration with citizen participation, it was opened in July 2004 as the Hirao Friend Complex.
However, the special building regular report for fiscal year 2009 was not accepted by the supervising authority, and part of the facility became unusable. While the city recognized it as a temporary use of a closed school, the supervising authority made a different judgment based on the actual usage form.
As a result, in the first phase of construction for fiscal year 2010, the first floor was renovated, and the second floor and above were closed for use. We sought opinions and considerations from the operation council again, and 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, and equipped the rooftop with solar panels, taking environmental measures into account.
During this time, we apologize for the inconvenience caused to users and express our gratitude to the operation council and registered user organizations for their understanding and cooperation towards the reopening of the facility.
In the first Regular Session of the City Council in 2013, we established an ordinance to manage and maintain this facility. The "Inagi City Friend Hirao Complex Ordinance" positions the entire facility and establishes individual ordinances for each use.
The "Living Culture Facility," which includes rental facilities such as the citizen hall, conference rooms, and cooking rooms located on the first to third floors, and the "Local History Room" on the second floor, which was relocated from the SHIROYAMA EXPERIENCE STUDY INSTITUE, are facilities for general public use. The "Education Center" on the third and fourth floors and the "Development Support Center" on the fourth floor are used by targeted children, students, parents, and school faculty and staff. The gymnasium and playground can now be used as new "Sports Facilities."
With this renovation, it has become a permanent complex facility that can be widely used by people throughout the city in various fields, so please make use of it.