The Center/Roshá Hester

On January 23, the City of Elk Grove celebrated the grand opening of its new Community Center at District56 located on Civic Center Drive. The Center is adjacent to the recently opened Aquatics Center on the 56 acres of land in central Elk Grove.

Grand Opening

The celebration was held in the Center’s Main Hall. Mayor Steve Ly gave opening statements about the Center being a “very important addition to our community.” Additionally, Wilton Rancheria Executive Director of Cultural Preservation, Ralph Troy Hatch and his team commenced the event in song and kind words reflecting the importance of taking care of one another especially the elders and youth in our community.

Congressman Ami Bera also spoke during the ceremony, sharing that the Elk Grove community could be used as an example for the rest of the country for “how to get it right.” Bera highlighted the diversity reflected in the event’s attendees as a reason he is so proud to be apart of the Elk Grove community.

The event was well attended which consequently made finding parking difficult for most attendees. However, along with good company from the Elk Grove community including many local veterans; there was good food, champagne, and music to be enjoyed, while attendees walked through the new spaces of the Center.

The Ceremony/Roshá Hester

Elk Grove City Council/Roshá Hester

Years of Planning

After the event, Mayor Ly shared his thoughts on the event and the Center. “The Center is the culmination of years of planning and being financially prudent and the event was a great example of the community utilizing the Center for events and concessions.”

The Center will now serve as the backdrop for many of Elk Grove’s annual events including the Illumination event held this past December. Additionally, the Consumnes Service District will hold the annual Father-Daughter dance at the Center in February.

Design

The 32,000 square foot community center is on target to receive LEED Gold certification. LEED certification designates Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design from the U.S. Green Buildings Council. Additionally, all of the power at the Center will be provided by renewable energy sources.

Furthermore, Sacramento Municipal Utilities District Boardmember, Rosanna Herber, presented Mayor Ly with a $20,000 check donation on behalf of SMUD at the event to honor the sustainable design elements.

In addition, as you walk through the various spaces you will experience public artwork provided by the Elk Grove Arts Commission. The public art “shares art history, promotes unity and celebrates a vibrant art culture-movement in the City of Elk Grove.” -Mayor Ly

The Center is also home to the new Senior Center of Elk Grove, Veteran’s Memorial Hall, and Café Elk Grove. Additionally, there are 6 meeting rooms available for reservation with various capacities ranging from 440 in the Main Hall to 16 in the Conference Room. To schedule an event or request a consultation, contact the Center staff at: https://district56elkgrove.com/thecenter/#contact.

Peace sign ceiling sculpture and unity written in American Sign Language/Councilmember Darren Suen

Decor/Roshá Hester

Artwork by Adrian Susnea Litman/Roshá Hester

Conference Room/Roshá Hester

Café Elk Grove

The cafe at the Center will be open Monday – Friday from 8 AM – 4 PM. Menu items and prices vary. Additionally, seniors and veterans will receive a 10% discount on orders.

Cafe (exterior)/ Roshá Hester

Cafe (interior)/Roshá Hester

The Avenue is the concourse between the Center and the Aquatics Center at District 56. Although the grand opening event took place indoors in the Main Hall, this outdoor area will be a site for future events. The Avenue provides open green space, water features, art, and fountains