Kent reopens renovated community center after phase 1 refresh

Julie Paris Gondola, parks director, presided over a grand reopening ceremony at the Kent Community Center, announcing completion of a phase 1 refresh that added a new entryway, new windows, an expanded gym and other facility upgrades.

Gondola said the work focused on the east side customer-service entrance and recreation spaces and represented the first phase toward a multi‑decade investment in the building, which she said has served the community for 47 years. "We have been doing a refresh on a portion of the building, and we are so excited," she said.

The upgrades described by Gondola include a new entryway and windows, renovated hallways and staff spaces, remodeled restrooms and locker rooms, an expanded gym with a divider to allow simultaneous programs and the addition of free weights. She also said the front part of the sports courts was remodeled and that the center now offers an "interactive loop fitness program." Gondola credited Burgess Design as the project's designer and Boyce Construction as the contractor and thanked staff who maintained programs while part of the building was closed.

"We're a city with limited resources, so we don't have the ability to upgrade and update and build new like a lot of other places," Gondola said. She added that the refresh was not a full remodel and that "this east side of the building absolutely needs to be shown that same love so that we can bring the whole facility to where it needs to be."

City staff said the work required staff and programs to operate in tighter spaces while construction occurred; Gondola thanked the community for its patience. No timeline or funding plan for future work on the remainder of the building was specified during the remarks.

Gondola named Dave Held, the community center manager, and Nate Harper from the facilities team as instrumental in completing the project and encouraged residents to use the renovated spaces.