Community center goes French

Community center goes French

SURABAYA: The municipality of Ponorogo has decided to revamp and expand the town's 'alun alun' (community center) using French architecture, Antara reported.

Ponorogo regency chief Markum Singodimedjo said he had picked up on the idea after a recent visit to France and watched the way they had built community centers there.

Markum said a community center should be able to accommodate seven functions at one: as a place of gathering, for ceremonies, for mass prayers, for sports, recreation, study and representing the town's history.

The town is famed for its reog (traditional Javanese musical performance).

The authorities have invited private companies to donate funds for the reconstruction of the 'alun alun' in return for commercial advertisements at designated places in the area, he said. So far, the authorities have collected Rp 300 million, he said, without giving details on precisely how much is needed. (emb)