For the Reporter
The public is invited to the dedication and grand opening celebration of Auburn’s new Community and Event Center and the REC Teen Center on Wednesday, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Les Gove Park, 910 Ninth Street SE.
The official dedication ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. The celebration will include tours of the facility, demonstrations in the Makers Room and the kitchen, and fun historical information and photographs in honor of the City of Auburn’s 125th birthday.
Free hot dogs, chips, drinks and birthday cupcakes will be served.
Designed by ARC Architects and built by general contractor Pease Construction Inc., the new facility at the north end of Les Gove Park is a central community gathering space that includes spaces to encourage cross-generational and cross-cultural interactions with neighboring facilities, including the Auburn Senior Activity Center, the Gymnasium, the White River Valley Museum, and the Auburn Library.
Auburn’s new center is approximately 13,700 square feet and includes three divisible rooms for public and private events, classes, meetings, and celebrations; a classroom/meeting room; fitness room with cardio and resistance machines; storage areas; and the Parks, Arts & Recreation administration offices.
The fireplace is focal point of the lobby and includes a commissioned public art piece designed by artist Virginia Paquette. The artwork serves as the surround to the fireplace and was cut and configured from one tree that was reclaimed from Les Gove Park. The work symbolizes the White and Green rivers’ confluence, and the Auburn community coming together at this site.
The new 7,300-square-foot REC Teen Center was created by renovating the City’s existing Parks, Recreation and Arts Administration Building. The REC includes an informal gathering space intended for informal gathering, games and socializing as well as structured programs such as performances; a Makers Space for teens to innovate, learn and build community through the use of art, technology, science and culture; a small classroom for programs and drop-in childcare for those who are exercising, taking a class or attending a meeting; a computer lab for homework, SAT prep, job preparation, videography and music; Youth/Teen Center staff offices; and a separate entry and reception area for when the facility is open as a Teen Center.
Shared spaces include a lobby, teaching/catering kitchen and outdoor terraces.
The City of Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation Department will oversee operations of the new facilities, including rental opportunities. In the fall, the Community & Event Center will offer expanded educational, fitness and recreational programs for all ages as well as offer a monthly and yearly pass for the fitness room. The Parks, Arts & Recreation Department Administrative offices will begin operating out of the new center on Thursday, June 23.
Hours will be Monday–Friday, 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Total project cost was $9 million, with $3 million provided by the taxpayers of Washington state through the Projects that Strengthen Youth and Families Program and $6,000,000 from the City of Auburn. The budget included construction and other costs like architects and engineers, permits, furniture and equipment and sales tax.
