The city plans a grand reopening of its Kent Commons Community Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 4 at 525 Fourth Ave. N.

Crews are finishing up an $1.5 million remodel and the facility is expected to return to normal operations later this month. The monies for the project came from the city’s capital budget.

Kent Commons will have a new entrance and front counter, an expanded weight room and locker rooms, a new family restroom and two refreshment areas with vending machines containing snacks and beverages.

Attendees at the reopening will enjoy activities throughout the building, free ice cream and popcorn, Kent Parks swag, and a special giveaway that’s exclusive to this event. The event is free and open to all.

Work began in March 2024 on the renovation at the 50,000-square-foot facility. The center sits downtown just south of West James Street and accesso ShoWare Center and west of the Kent Station shopping center.

The work is needed because the facility was built in 1979 and is 45 years old, said Will Moore, city facilities superintendent, in his report last year about the project to the council.

The facility offers programs and classes for youth and adults, a fully-equipped gym and fitness center, and numerous rooms and spaces to reserve for events of all sizes.