Our History

The property where the Lewis Arriola Community Center (LACC) now sits, has had a long history of serving the community. The property was donated by George and Gladys Loyd to the Arriola Ball Club and was known as the Arriola Ball Field. For many years, with nothing more than a dirt field and a chicken wire backstop, countless softball games, and little league baseball, brought members of the community together to compete and socialize.

As the years went by the area’s softball leagues begin to fade, and the property began to see less and less use until it became overgrown in weeds and sagebrush.

In 1994, the Lewis Arriola Fire Department purchased the land from the Arriola Ball Club for one dollar, with the intent to build a central fire training facility for the area fire departments. These plans never developed. So, in 1997, I came up with an idea to build a community center on the property. I approached the Lewis Arriola Fire Department with the idea, and they agreed to sell the property for one dollar.

And so, the Lewis Arriola Community Center vision and journey began. I applied for the LACC to become a 501c3 non profit, and then formed our Board of Directors.

The board elected to not try to get onto the tax roll. Having spent our only dollar to purchase the property, we began raising money through a series of yard sales, cash donations, raffles, and overwhelming community support.

In 1998 the LACC had raised enough money to begin building the community center. This process would not have been possible without the support and volunteers from this community. For the last 23 years, the LACC has continued to grow and add to the amenities of the property with the help of grants, donations, and an annual chili supper and pie auction, which is the only fund raiser event each year.

It is the support from the local businesses, and this wonderful community that has made LACC such a great success. We hope to continue our growth and improvements, and to keep serving this great community for countless more years to come.

Chan Chaffin
Founder / Visionary