BOISE, Idaho — The former Hispanic Cultural Center in Nampa officially has a new name. On Monday, during a Nampa City Council meeting, members voted to name it the "Idaho Hispanic Community Center (IH2C)."
"The advisory committee is excited to complete our first step in a series of steps to move us forward. The new name allows us to brand and market the center and fulfill its intent to improve the quality of life for all people as well as to recognize, celebrate, and preserve Hispanic heritage, culture and values," said Nampa Community & Cultural Advisory Group Chair, Dan Puga.
Facilities Director of the building, Jose DeLeon, told KTVB on Monday he looks forward to serving everyone in the Nampa community, and everyone in the Gem State.
DeLeon mentioned that changing the name of the building would enable them to inform the public more effectively about the upcoming events that would be hosted in the building. This was difficult to do with the old name. He said a new website and branding is coming soon.
Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling said everyone involved in the process has been doing great work.
"I greatly appreciate the work of the Nampa Community & Cultural Advisory Group in identifying a new facility name and their continued work to make recommendations on the highest and best use of the Idaho Hispanic Community Center moving forward," she said.
As KTVB previously reported, in July 2023, the City of Nampa took possession of the building when it issued a complaint in December 2022 outlining the city's concerns about the condition of the building.
The city said it received complaints from leadership that the building was not being used much, and the current management allowed the building to "fall in disrepair" and "failed to deliver the services to the Hispanic community."
Former president Humberto Fuentes also said the allegations are not true and that anywhere from 100-150 people use the building every month.
A judge turned the building over to the city in May after the complaint was filed. The nonprofit had 42 days to respond, but Fuentes said their lawyers made a mistake and never did.
While it seemed sudden to Fuentes, Kling said they did not make the decision lightly. The city has leased the building to the nonprofit for $1 every year since 2002.
Kling said no matter what happens, the city will keep the building within the Latino and Hispanic community.
Fuentes said they still plan on fighting this in court, accusing the city of abusing its power.
In February 2024, the city appointed DeLeon as the new facilities director of the building to manage the facility and to create budgets to fix and maintain the building.
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