The Friends of Gladish Board announced the permanent closure of the Gladish Community & Cultural Center, effective September 15th. All tenants must vacate the premises by this date.

This decision follows a series of financial challenges faced by the center, which became public in December when the board revealed a financial crisis due to the loss of a significant tenant. In an effort to raise funds, a “Save the Gladish” campaign was launched in May. By July, the building was listed for sale, with hopes that a new owner would continue to operate it as a community center.

The decline in major tenants began nearly a decade ago when the Community Colleges of Spokane relocated its Pullman campus to Washington State University. Additionally, the Pullman Community Montessori school, which rented space at Gladish, was closed by the Washington Charter School Commission last year due to issues related to mismanagement. That school has since moved to a different location owned by the Pullman School District.

Despite these challenges, there had been recent investments in the Gladish. A significant contribution was made to establish a performing arts center, with a $10,000 grant from the Pullman Chamber of Commerce in 2020 to study the feasibility of remodeling the auditorium. The project was later named the “Beatriz Schweitzer Centre for the Arts” following a $1.5 million donation from local philanthropists Ed and Beatriz Schweitzer. However, this initiative was paused in November, shortly before the financial crisis was disclosed. Additionally, Avista Utilities provided a grant of $200,000 last year to update the building’s aging boiler system.

Originally built as Pullman High School until 1972, the building was sold to the Friends of Gladish in 1996. Over the years, the Gladish Community & Cultural Center has hosted numerous public events and private functions, and it serves as an office space for various companies and nonprofits.