You’re invited to a community celebration to mark the beginning of construction for Eastside Community Center, a $31 million facility going up on the campus of First Creek Middle School. The celebration on September 23rd will not only put a spotlight on the new community center, but also will showcase the talents of youthful Tacoma performers, who will entertain on stage with music, dance, drumming and spoken word presentations.

People can have fun on an obstacle course, flag football games and – for teens and adults – bubble soccer. There will also be an abundance of art projects and crafts for people to enjoy, along with free food and beverages for the first 500 people. Young ambassadors from First Creek Middle School will act as tour guides. They’ll talk about the community center and escort visitors to a second-floor viewing area of the construction site.

Parking/Transportation: On-campus parking is limited, so drivers are encouraged to carpool or park across the street at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 4818 Portland Ave. Shuttles will move people parked at the church to and from the school campus throughout the event and at its conclusion. The church and the neighboring U.S. Army Reserve Center, 5119 E. Portland Ave., both generously offered space for the event (we’ll use the Reserve Center lot for staff and volunteers).

Parking will be available at the school as well; use the school’s main entrance on East 56th Street to reach it. Attendants will help at all locations. More options may become available; see ImagineEastside.org for the latest information about parking and transportation and to get details about Eastside Community Center.

– Metro Parks