A development that was put on the hold at the start of the pandemic in March and has been a few years in the making has resumed.
Construction could begin on The Waypoint Family and Entertainment Center in Buellton as early as next year, according to Michael Holliday, the principal architect at DMHA Interior and Design. Carol Peterson is the owner of the proposed development and the one who has been championing the project, which was originally called Live oak Lanes.
"It's been a few years in the making to be at this point and we're really right on the cusp of getting permits to issue," Holliday said.
The development is expected to be just over 44,000 square feet and built off Highway 246 behind the Albertsons shopping center in Buellton.
An 18-lane bowling alley, private event space, business spaces, indoor and outdoor dining are just a few of the main attractions of the event center.
Holliday says The Waypoint will also include a video arcade for adults and children.
"It crosses over the age barrier," Holliday said.
While Holliday says permits are on the cusp of getting issued, once they are, the process of breaking ground will begin.
"The construction period is probably going to take 18 months so we will start on construction next year and then timing works out well for the site work and facilities probably in the summertime and then after the rainy season, and then once the site work is done it's going to be about a year of construction for the full building and that resumes a pretty aggressive schedule," Holliday said.
The style of the building will be ranch contemporary and will include recycled barn wood on its exterior. Holliday says this style aligns with much of the design of other buildings across the Santa Ynez Valley.
As concerns from COVID-19 remain, Holliday says the ventilation will be key during construction and development to create a space that is safe.
"Fortunately we've done a lot, the volume and the spaces are large and open spaces, a lot of indoor, outdoor activity," Holliday said. "We've had that included in the plan from the beginning and right now we're looking at what those potential impacts might be."
A lot of fresh air intake, circulation, and opening the building up are just a few of the changes Holliday says architects and engineers will be working on to keep the building a little safer.
"The mechanical system is really where we're going to focus with the engineers and say, what sort of state of the art, are there HEPA filters we can include, a higher level filtration of the air?"Holliday said. "There's a lot of newer technology addressing these issues as well."
