By Ruth Longoria

The Island’s new Community Center at Mercer View — located at 8236 S.E. 24th St. — is set to officially open Saturday, Dec. 10. A public grand opening is planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a dedication ceremony at 11:30 a.m. There’s also a Sister City Association Gala reception planned the night before.With just two weeks before the opening, the excitement has already begun.

What began with a $13.1 million budget approved by the City Council in July 2003 is rapidly taking shape — under budget and on time. The Island Parks and Recreation Department’s new state-of-the-art 42,744-square-foot facility will offer much-needed space for youth, adult, and senior activities.

“This will truly be a community center for people of all ages to come, take part in activities and just hang out,” said Diane Mortenson, community center recreation director.

In its hillside location overlooking Luther Burbank Park and Lake Washington, the magnificent new center is designed to be functional. But it is also a showplace. The brick, steel and glass center was designed by the Miller Hull Partnership, a Seattle architectural firm. There’s a glass and wood canopy over the circular plaza entryway designed to usher visitors and patrons into the lobby of the building. On the main level of the facility are five program rooms for community events, meetings, and recreational use, as well as a library area with books, seating and public access computers. The walls along the gallery and walkways are designed to show off spectacular artwork, such as that of the kickoff exhibit of artwork from the Island’s sister city of Thonon les Baines, France.

One spectacular feature of the new center is the grand staircase, which has an art-embellished railing titled “The Island.” The railing contains bronze panels that depict plants and fauna, as well as fruit imagery reminiscent of the fruit orchards that historically inhabited the center site. The rail artwork was created by eastern Washington sculptor Wayne Chabre.

In addition to aesthetic value, the center is expected to be financially solvent. Rental space at the new center already is in demand and, staff expect, should fill up fast. Rooms available for rent include: a 10,300 square feet gymnasium; a 1,435 square feet dance room; a 3,335 square feet multipurpose room that can be broken down into three separate rooms; a catering kitchen; and, four 893 square feet meeting rooms. A fitness gym room also is expected to pay its own way, with monthly memberships available to the public, Mortenson said.

But it’s not just about making money. “There will be several new programs available for everyone from babies to adults,” she said. “The drop in programs and additional pre-school programs are something the community really needs.”