Brea was incorporated as a city in 1917; however, construction of the first civic center for Brea and in Orange County was not completed until 1929.  Little did anyone know then of the current day ties to this venerable building.

     Frank Schweitzer Sr. negotiated with the then Union Oil Company for a parcel of land to build a park, pool and civic center in 1927.  This of course after the voters passed a bond issue for $60,000.  Frank designed the lay out for what is known today as the civic center park, which was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.  Frank went on to serve on the city council for 21 years.

     In 1960, construction was completed on the Carbon Canyon Dam project.  This forced some residents to move elsewhere in the community and also necessitated the move of the old school buildings.  The smaller of the school buildings was set up in Arovista Park and became the scout house.  The mayor of Brea at that time was Frank Schweitzer Jr.

     In 1987, Arovista Park was set for renovation.  After completing the plans for the new park, it was felt that the scout house was unsafe and had to be torn down.  A small group of scouters came together to lobby the city council for another facility.  In 1992, at the suggestion of Assistant City Manager Tim O'Donnell and after a couple years of discussions, Mayor Burnie Dulap, Mayor Pro-Tem Glenn Parker and Councilwoman Bev Perry agreed with the proposal as a possible option.  A small group of citizens representing the foundation, Lyle Sutton, Jan Wingerter, Anne Lanphar, Bob Martin and Bernie Kilcoyne negotiated the lease with the City and signed documents on October 14, 1994 then ratified by the city council which included Carrie Nelson and Ron Isles.  Do you know the volunteer architect for this project?  It is Don Schweitzer, grandson for Frank Sr. and son of Frank Jr.

     Initially, the Brea Lions Scout Center Foundation has raised enough money to replace a roof, in which it rained more inside than outside.  Additionally, significant seismic retrofit work has been completed.  Donations of building materials were sought to supplement the monies raised for materials by the TV auction.   Work parties of scout moms, dads and other community volunteers, but mostly Lions Club members,  have spent thousands of hours of  working on the inside of the building to where the restoration project is today.  Follow our progress in our Photo Album. CLICK HERE.

     TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE, THIS IS THE ONLY PROJECT IN THIS COUNTRY WHERE A SERVICE CLUB, THE BREA LIONS, COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS,  GIRL SCOUT and BOY SCOUT PARENTS OUR COMBINING EFFORTS TO RESTORE A HISTORICAL BUILDING.