The Snoqualmie City Council took a look at ways to build the long-awaited Snoqualmie community center without a bond at its recent retreat.

Council members met March 2 and 3 at the Salish Lodge and Spa to plan ahead during challenging economic times. The community center was among topics discussed.

Mayor Matt Larson said council consensus is to avoid a voted ballot measure for the future center, which is proposed for a location near Cascade View Elementary School in Snoqualmie Ridge.

Bond issues on the community center have failed three times at the polls: last August, and in 2002 and 2006.

Instead of another bond, the city is looking at phasing the project, building the center in two or three phases using city funds.

The first step, according to Larson, is for the city to visualize what kind of center it wants to see in Snoqualmie in 20 years time. Then, the city will divide that into phases.

“How do we slice and dice this?” Larson asked. “What’s the most essential thing we can build with current resources?”

We’re going to start outlining the resources we have to work with and move forward to get something built for the community,” Larson said.

Since the failure of the last community center bond, last fall, the city has been engaging with many prospective partners, including local organizations and the YMCA, Larson said.