MATTAWA - The Wahluke School District (WSD) is acting like it wants to play a major role in the Mattawa community.

First it was the unveiling of the Makeover Mattawa plan, which K-12 students will execute over three years. Right on its heels comes the announcement of a community center/alternative school downtown.

"We're really excited about this," WSD Superintendent Aaron Chavez said. "The community and the city have been wanting a community center for a long time. It's something we have been talking about for a long time, and we have found a way to make it happen."

The district has leased a 2,200 square foot building, with brick face, just west of the La Popular. Chavez said the district hopes to open it as a community center by the end of June.

As a community center, Chavez said, the building would be available to children as a recreation or study center. It would be available for adult education in the evenings.

"We'd make the computers available to people who want to learn English," Chavez said.

In the fall, children would be back in school. The district's alternative school would be moved from the Port of Mattawa.

"This building is about the same size as the one at the port," Chavez said.

Chavez said this community center/school concept won't require additional funding. The money that has supported the alternative school will support this project.

"This new center will be available for community members and students," Chavez said. "It will be used for many things, for community members to study English and for students to complete homework."