Metro Parks Tacoma’s newest center — South Tacoma Activity and Recreation (STAR) Center — is almost ready for its spring debut. If you would like a sneak peek, public tours are offered every Thursday at noon by calling (253) 404-3939 to schedule a tour. Metro Parks Tacoma is offering the weekly tours because of the growing interest in the building.

According to officials, the heated floors throughout the building are completed and the wood floor in Journey Hall is the finishing touch of the new space. The curtains have been hung on the stage and the large recycled-wood “cyber-table” has been placed in the lobby and looks like it’s ready for a fleet of laptops (STAR Center will have Wi-Fi throughout the building).

Scheduled to open in spring 2012, the $16 million, 32,000 square foot center will be located at 66th and Adams on a shared campus with Gray Middle School, the new Boys & Girls Club’s Topping Hope Center and SERA field.

Funding for the new center was included as part of the Park Improvement Bond and adopted by voters in 2005 and additional funding of $2.2 million has been provided through State funding. For more information, visit starcentertacoma.org.