The Investment Plan
Our Center Our Future
Guided by research and community feedback, the City of Brooklyn Center developed a $49.1 million investment plan, “Our Center Our Future,” to renovate and expand the community center to support critical facility repairs and provide additional meeting space, fitness and recreation offerings and amenities for Brooklyn Center residents of all ages.
Below are example images that depict the vision for some of the new community center spaces.
Gym with multi-use courts
Teen center
Indoor play area
Upgraded lobby and entryway
Gym with multi-use courts
Indoor walking and jogging track
Updated lobby
Community meeting and event rooms
Core investment plan
Based on priorities identified by the community, the City would move forward with a core investment plan, followed by enhancements as more funding becomes available.
Core investments include:
Improvements to HVAC and building systems for better air quality and energy efficiency
Numerous repairs and infrastructure upgrades to the existing building
New gyms with multiple courts for volleyball, basketball, pickleball and other sports
An indoor walking and jogging track
An indoor playground for children
A teen center equipped for entrepreneurial classes, tutoring, relaxing and gathering with friends
A new lobby and redesigned entrance with more community gathering spaces
Improved access from parking
New meeting rooms for residents and employees
Enhancements: Further upgrades and repairs to other parts of the existing building, including the swimming pool area and locker rooms, fitness room and the roof, will be made as additional funding sources become available.
Why a teen center?
Teen centers and teen-specific programming play a crucial role in supporting the healthy development of teenagers by providing them with opportunities for growth, learning and positive social interaction. Currently, there is no space in our community that fits the bill to provide these opportunities, and Brooklyn Center residents have expressed concern about the lack of safe places for teenagers to build community and stay out of trouble.
Our vision is to create a teen center within our community center that invests in the future of our teenagers. The proposed new teen center would have programming like youth entrepreneurship, homework help and health education.
“The foundation of our community is our youth, and now more than ever our teenagers need someplace safe and welcoming to relax and be with their friends.”
