MATSUI, CITY OF SACRAMENTO ANNOUNCE $1.97 MILLION OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PANNELL COMMUNITY CENTER

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Sam and Bonnie Pannell Community Center will be enhanced as a “resilience hub” for the Sacramento community thanks to federal funding secured by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07).She announced the funding this morning alongside local leaders and city staff.

An infusion of $1,977,200 in federal dollars will help fund the first phase of upgrades to the Pannell Center – ensuring continuity of critical services to the community as the frequency of extreme climatic events increases.

“Whether it is the recent severe storms or the hazardous air quality of wildfire season, our city has been no stranger to mother nature’s extremes,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “When we talk about emergency resilience, it is really about meeting people where they are at.  In good times and bad, the Pannell Center is already a hub of the Meadowview community – and this project will only enhance its positive impact moving forward.”

“The Pannell Community Center is a special place for many of our youth, families, and elders in Meadowview,” said Mayor Pro Tem Mai Vang. “In addition to the many critical programs and services we provide to our residents, Pannell has been a central location to prepare and respond to the pandemic and climate-related extreme events. Thank you to Congresswoman Doris Matsui for being a champion for South Sacramento and securing $2 million for our beloved community center. This investment will jumpstart the much-needed renovations to ensure we can establish the Pannell center as a resiliency hub.”

“This is a much-needed investment that creates a space for clean air, particularly during hot days of the year and days when we experience poor air quality due to emergency events,” said Vice Mayor Eric Guerra. “Many residents in the surrounding community lack proper ventilation at home due to aged infrastructure, and these investments will create a safer space for them.”

“We’re excited to receive funding for the Pannell Community Center Resilience Hub that will increase our ability to continue operating this critical community resource,” said Jackie Beecham, Director for the City’s Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment Department. “The Sam & Bonnie Pannell Community Center serves a diverse community for regular programming and events and the planned improvements will enhance the Center as a continued activation site for emergency events including extreme weather respite.”

In phase one, the City will lay the groundwork for future facility improvements, including enhancements to the HVAC system and an advanced air control system. This enhanced air filtration system will ensure clean air is available to residents who may not have other options for safe indoor ventilation during hazardous air quality events, such as those caused by wildfire smoke.  SMUD is a key partner during this first phase, assisting the City with preliminary analysis and design for long-term buildout of energy components of the facility.

“SMUD’s vision for a decarbonized Sacramento region will have widespread environmental, health and economic benefits, especially as we expand equitable, reliable and clean sources of energy in our communities,” said SMUD CEO and General Manager Paul Lau. “With this project, we’ll be able to create a system of clean energy that can be used to demonstrate the effectiveness of micro grids. Renewable energy upgrades will help lower the energy bill burden at the Pannell Center so resources can go toward helping our community through the climate crisis.”

As additional funding is secured, planned improvements in later phases include on-site solar power generation, energy storage systems, building retrofits and electrification and installation of EV chargers.

The Pannell Community Center has long served as a critical activation site for emergency events, serving under-resourced residents and the region as a respite center for extreme weather events and other emergency needs. As a City-owned and operated facility, Pannell Community Center is one of the City’s most important respite centers for emergency events. The City activates the Center throughout the year to serve as a cooling center, warming center, clean air center and more depending on the need.

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