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Benny's Friend
Joined: 12 Jan 2008
Posts: 1313
Location: AKA Resistance is Fultile / AKA Patricia Curtis
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 Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:25 pm Post subject:
Bent Corydon's Little Building That Could
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Last night I was privileged to join the festivities celebrating the 100th birthday of Bent Corydon's gorgeous building, located a few short blocks from the Board of Supervisors chambers in downtown Riverside.
It was a great occasion and no expense was spared. Even private label wine!
Congratulations again, Bent!
There were a few of "us" there in support of Bent's accomplishments, including this guy:
Bent actually mentioned "us" and the work we do during his presentation, which was met with a round of applause. So cool! As he talked about the history of the building, the subject of Scientology came up several times. He handled it beautifully and there was no question how he feels about the issue. His own personal history, along with the history of his building, are inextricably tied to Scientology, yet today both stand stronger and more determined for having weathered that awful storm.
Bent and some of his supporters:
The Press Enterprise did a terrific story celebrating the building's past:
The 'Y' in Riverside is 100 years old
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_W_wymca30.4739115.html
| Quote: | By SANDRA STOKLEY
The Press-Enterprise
Photo Gallery: Riverside YMCA building celebrating 100 years
Bent Corydon has vivid memories of the day in 1974 when he and a friend scrambled over a back wall and snuck into the abandoned YMCA building at the corner of Lemon Street and University Avenue in Riverside.
It was a rat- and cockroach-infested wreck with gaping holes in the roof. Rain-damaged beams sagged, and gas and water pipes were leaking in a dozen places.
Eager to get a look and determine whether to buy the place, Corydon considered the prospect of getting the building in shape for occupancy was no big deal.
"We were young," Corydon said this week, smiling at the memory. "We thought this is easy. We could fix this up quick."
Thirty-five years later, the historic YMCA building downtown -- now known as the Life Arts Center -- remains a work in progress.
The brick building built in 1909 has undergone yet another renovation in the months leading up to its 100th birthday celebration on Nov.5.
David Bauman / The Press-Enterprise
The historic YMCA building, now known as the Life Arts Center, will celebrate its centennial on Nov. 5. The building in downtown Riverside received grants to repair its brick exterior and to eliminate graffiti.
With support from Councilman Mike Gardner, the building received Corporate Improvement Program grants, which paid for repairs to its brick exterior and to blast graffiti away.
The frames of the graceful, arched windows, one of the building's most distinctive features, have been painted burnt orange, the original color selected by the building's architect, Arthur Benton.
Halogen lights have been installed to showcase the exterior of the building.
Like any centenarian, the YMCA/Life Arts building has seen good times and bad. It's had its share of controversy, too.
It was close to the wrecking ball after 1968 when the YMCA moved to its Jefferson Street building.
Bent Corydon, owner of the Life Arts Building, stands in what used to be the upstairs gym.
And fire jeopardized it twice: in 1954 when a blaze gutted part of the interior and in 1972 when the Arlington Apartments next door burned to the ground.
The Nov. 5 celebration will bring together city dignitaries and longtime residents who remember the building in happier times during its early 20th century heyday as part of the bustling downtown Riverside scene.
Retired Judge John Gabbert was a cash-strapped student when he got a job at the front desk, checking in members who came to swim or play basketball.
He worked there from 1927 to 1929.
David Bauman / The Press-Enterprise
The stairway to the arts studios located in what is now the Life Arts Building.
"It was a great place and I met a lot of great folks there," Gabbert said in a telephone Thursday. "There was a handball tournament that went on incessantly for years."
"I always felt very kindly toward the Y because they gave me that job during hard times. Things were tight back then," he said.
In 1974 the abandoned building was purchased by the Riverside Mission of Scientology, and Corydon was put in charge.
Photos found in a time capsule found behind the building's cornerstone provided the blueprint for a renovation underwritten by earnings from Scientology classes and counseling.
"I looked at the photos and thought, 'Oh, my God. How beautiful it was,' " Corydon said.
Thick layers of plaster painted a hospital green were removed, revealing the original brick walls. The roof was repaired, water-logged beams were replaced and the floors were refinished.
In 1982 the Riverside Scientology group broke away from the main organization, and a legal battle ensued over ownership of the building..
It was settled in 1992, and Life Arts Center Incorporated -- with Corydon as president -- took over ownership.
During the legal battle, artists began flocking to the building, looking to rent studios in the refurbished hotel rooms.
Today, 20 of the 25 rooms are rented out to artists, designers and photographers. Rooms on the main floor are rented out for receptions and parties.
Corydon said his 35-year odyssey with the building has been tough but rewarding because the building is a vital piece of the downtown historic district.
"There was a romance to architecture like this that's been lost," he said. "Buildings like this are a treasure most cities have not been able to maintain."
Reach Sandra Stokley at 951- 368-9647 or at sstokley@PE.com
Historic YMCA/Life Arts Center
1909 - The 47,000-square-foot brick structure is built. Chiseled into the cornerstone: "To the glory of God and the uplifting of man."
1954 - A fire that started in the lobby fireplace destroys the staircase and burns a portion of the roof. Volunteers raised money and provided the labor for repairs.
1968 - The YMCA moves to its Jefferson Street facility.
1980 - The building is granted historic landmark status by the city.
2009 - The building celebrates its 100th birthday |
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My top issues with Scientology: human rights abuses including the SP Hole, RPF, forced abortions and forced divorces, Fair Game, PTS/SP, disconnection, Jeff Stone, and all the lies the Church of Scientology tells its own members. |
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Sponge
Joined: 10 Apr 2006
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Location: U.K.
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programmer_guy
Joined: 12 Feb 2004
Posts: 8787
Location: Somewhere far beyond the land of Oz.
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:23 am Post subject:
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Thanks for the pics!
I didn't recognize anyone but Bent in those pics BUT it's been lots of years since the old days there.
That building is now a home for several small businesses.
(BTW, The old stairs down to the former HQS and HSDC course rooms have been removed.)
I had thought that this was going to be during the daytime. If I had known that this was going to take place in the evening after work I would have been there.
I'm glad that you all had a good time.
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codo ergo sum. |
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Benny's Friend
Joined: 12 Jan 2008
Posts: 1313
Location: AKA Resistance is Fultile / AKA Patricia Curtis
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:28 am Post subject:
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PG, I would have enjoyed meeting you. Would have gotten a kick out of hearing your stories. I'm sorry that didn't work out.
_________________
My top issues with Scientology: human rights abuses including the SP Hole, RPF, forced abortions and forced divorces, Fair Game, PTS/SP, disconnection, Jeff Stone, and all the lies the Church of Scientology tells its own members. |
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programmer_guy
Joined: 12 Feb 2004
Posts: 8787
Location: Somewhere far beyond the land of Oz.
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:32 am Post subject:
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| Benny's Friend wrote: | | PG, I would have enjoyed meeting you. Would have gotten a kick out of hearing your stories. I'm sorry that didn't work out. |
Well, yes... now I'm disappointed because my understanding (from posts on ESMB) that this was going to take place during the daytime ... normal working hours. I couldn't make it during the day.
Were there any old ex-staffers there? Just curious.
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codo ergo sum. |
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Benny's Friend
Joined: 12 Jan 2008
Posts: 1313
Location: AKA Resistance is Fultile / AKA Patricia Curtis
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:42 am Post subject:
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| programmer_guy wrote: | | Were there any old ex-staffers there? Just curious. |
I'm not sure, PG. As an 'outsider' I wouldn't have recognized them. I do know there were people there who went way back with Bent. In what capacity, I'm not sure. Have you seen the building since the renovations? I'm planning a return visit once downtown Riverside has been adorned with Christmas decorations.
_________________
My top issues with Scientology: human rights abuses including the SP Hole, RPF, forced abortions and forced divorces, Fair Game, PTS/SP, disconnection, Jeff Stone, and all the lies the Church of Scientology tells its own members. |
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programmer_guy
Joined: 12 Feb 2004
Posts: 8787
Location: Somewhere far beyond the land of Oz.
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:04 am Post subject:
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| Benny's Friend wrote: |
Have you seen the building since the renovations?
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If you mean the interior... no.
| Benny's Friend wrote: |
I'm planning a return visit once downtown Riverside has been adorned with Christmas decorations.
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They do lots of pretty and amazing XMAS decorations around the Mission Inn during XMAS.
They even have a Cinderella-type horse-drawn carriage that goes around that downtown area during that time.
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magoo1
Joined: 24 Jan 2004
Posts: 10114
Location: Burbank, CA, USA
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:33 am Post subject:
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Great photos, BF! Thanks for the detailed report 
I know he was super happy some of you came. I had hoped to go,
but had to do something for my work, and getting to both places
made it impossible.
Looks like a grand time was had by all 
Best,
Tory/Magoo |
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