A New Community Center for Belmont
Why Belmont Needs a New Community Center
The Belmont Community Foundation (BCF) is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to funding a new community center for Belmont. While the Barrett Community Center is currently a hub of activity, its aging buildings are nearing the end of their lifespan. Without action, Belmont risks losing essential spaces for learning, recreation, and community gatherings.
Currently, the Barrett Center primarily serves Belmont’s youth, but the reimagined facility will be designed for all ages and interests—creating a vibrant, multi-use space for everyone in the community.
More Than a Community Center - A Vital Resource
This project isn’t just about building a new facility—it’s about creating a multi-generational hub for education, recreation, and connection.
Beyond serving as a space for activities, the new community center could also become a centrally located emergency resource center. Recent years have shown the importance of having a safe, designated space for residents during heat waves, wildfire smoke days, and flooding events. This added function could also open the door to grant funding opportunities.
The Journey Toward a New Community Center
The need for a new facility has been discussed for years, but real progress began in 2019 when the City of Belmont took significant steps:
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Formed a Community Advisory Committee to guide the project
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Engaged residents to gather ideas and feedback
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Developed a conceptual design for a modern facility
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Received City Council approval to move forward with funding and development
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic put these efforts on hold. Work resumed in 2022, with updated cost estimates and renewed focus. That same year, the Belmont Community Foundation was formed to support, advocate for, and help fund this vital project.
In 2024, the City launched Community Conversations to re-engage residents, ensuring that the final design reflects the most current needs and priorities of the community.
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Refreshed conceptual design in 2025
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Survey for updated feedback on the facility in 2025 - 63.3% support
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City Council assessing a November 2026 ballot measure to fund the project
In 2026, a group of Belmont residents decided to take the process that the city started and collect signatures from over 2,700 Belmont residents to put it on the November 2026 ballot. The ballot initiative became Measure Y and voters will vote on Nov 3, 2026.
Measure Y - November 2026
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The measure is a parcel tax that assesses 0.33 cents per square foot of livable space to homeowners. It raises ~$ 7.1 million dollars annually for a special fund that is dedicated to construction of the project, its maintenance, and programmatic support (like staffing for weekends and evenings). Spending priorities can be found in the measure language on the SM County elections website. Revenue will be placed in a special fund that the state or county cannot take away, and which cannot be spent on unrelated city expenses. Annual audits are required.
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Seniors 65 and older who live in their primary residence can file for exemption annually. Only one homeowner needs to be 65 or older. The city processes the application. Proof of residence (like utility bills) will almost certainly be necessary.
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The average home size sold in Belmont is about 2000 square feet, which comes out to $666 annually, or ~ $55 per month.
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The measure was written as a parcel tax to provide flexibility regarding spending priorities. In the project's first phases, the generated revenue will allow the city to secure low-interest bonds for construction. In the next phases, expenditures will shift to maintenance, programmatic support, and staffing. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the facilities are estimated to be completed in 5-6 years from the summer of 2027.
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The new community center will expand opportunities for Seniors, Adults, and Families. The new community center is designed to double as an emergency hub ("resiliency center") during local crises.
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The details of the measure, along with arguments for and against can be found here: San Mateo County Elections, Nov 3 2026. Please scroll down to "City Measures". Measure Y is the first city measure listed.
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The city's latest update is here: The Community Center Conversation
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Voters will decide on November 3rd by simple majority vote whether to adopt the funding measure and move forward with the project. After this election year, the threshold to pass local funding measures will rise to a 2/3 majority. Average support for the project has polled solidly at ~60%, and as high as ~64%.
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The authors of the measure (Belmont residents) used the same core language and numbers that were polled to Belmont citizens in July 2025 (polling results were as above). There is no sunset in the measure, so maintenance and programmatic support are guaranteed. If it passes, a mechanism exists to remove the measure if it becomes unpopular. If the measure is removed, there would be no dedicated funding stream to maintain the investment and provide programmatic support.
While BCF supports the measure to fund a new Belmont Community Center, we are not the campaign. For more detailed questions, please reach out to the campaign (Vote Yes on Y) here: Yes on Y contact page
How We Make It Happen—Together
The cost of building a new community center is significant, but the impact it will have on Belmont is invaluable. Making this vision a reality will require a united effort from:
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City and county government
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Local businesses
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Community organizations
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Belmont residents like you
Funding will need to come from multiple sources, and it will take a collective push to bring this project to life.
Without a significant revenue stream, this project will not be possible. If Measure Y passes, various forms of additional funding will be pursued in the form of grants and donations.