For the Reporter
Auburn has a new Community and Event Center and REC Teen Center.
City leaders and the public celebrated the grand opening of the new facility at a dedication ceremony at Les Gove Park Wednesday.
The special occasion included tours of the facility, demonstrations in the Makers Room and the kitchen, and historical information and photographs in honor of the City of Auburn’s 125th birthday.
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 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 begins operating out of the new center on Thursday.
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.
