Absent a community amenity for nearly a decade, the Southgate neighborhood turned out en masse Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of the Southgate Neighborhood Community Center.
The $4.6 million, 7,737-square-foot facility, which took three years to build, opened to hundreds of smiling children, who immediately began sampling the center's game room, indoor basketball court and computer lab.
"This is a celebration and a commemoration," said Larry Bussey, chair of the Southgate Community Center Advisory Committee. "This is a phoenix — rebuilt from what was here before."
The new center replaced an aging Reston Association community room and swimming pool shut down in 1997 after an RA survey found the facilities were rarely used.
Rather than renovate the 23-year-old pool, an option deemed too costly, RA leased the property to the county for free for 99 years. In return, the county agreed to build and run the new center. RA homeowners, who owned the property and had to approve the deal by referendum in 2002, overwhelmingly voted in favor of the arrangement, giving 96 percent approval.
During the ceremony, Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) commended the community for supporting the project from the beginning. "It is my hope that the programming will give our children a good start in life," she said.
Several Reston elected representatives were on hand to celebrate the opening, including Reston Association board members, both of Reston’s state representatives, state Sen. Janet Howell (D-32) and Del. Ken Plum (D-36), Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald Connolly (D) and School Board Member Stu Gibson (Hunter Mill).
In addition to the gymnasium and computer lab, the center features a teen center, multi-purpose rooms and a teaching kitchen.
Regular programming began Monday, July 10.