Valley Mission seeks county support to finish rescue‑mission facility; requests $30,000

Carl Peddle, representing Valley Mission, described a multi‑phase project to convert the old Metro Gym into a full‑service rescue mission and asked the county for $30,000 to help move the project into its second phase.

Peddle said the organization currently operates a food pantry serving about 180 to 200 families per week and has demolished and framed a new facility. "We've raised and spent about $1.2, 1.3 million dollars since the inception of this to get this facility open," he said. The organization said it has kept spending to match funds on hand and is awaiting final bids on required fire sprinklers; Peddle said that sprinkler bid arrived about $50,000 higher than expected.

Planned features for the facility include a food pantry and laundromat on the main floor, a commercial kitchen, two emergency shelter spaces described by the presenter as "2, 9‑bed spaces," office space to lease to partner agencies, and an upstairs six‑month transformational living program with dorm‑style rooms and life‑coaching and counseling supports. Valley Mission said it coordinates with a coalition of roughly 17 nonprofit partners and volunteers to provide workforce training, counseling and recovery services.

Peddle told commissioners the organization has invested volunteer labor and philanthropic donations and is seeking county funds to help complete construction so the shelter and program spaces can open later this year. Commissioners said they would consider the request during the budget process; no vote was taken at the meeting.