By Noor Abdullah, Staff Writer
The city of Millbrae opened the new Recreation Center to the public on July 10th in Central Park to the thrilled welcome of the community, six years after the previous recreation center was unfortunately destroyed in a fire set by former Mills High School students in the summer of 2016.
The new Recreation Center cost $28 million to build and consists of a two-story building that stretches 24,000 square feet with a modern-looking glass and stone exterior.
“I’m proud to say this beautiful building will not only meet our needs today, but meet the needs of Millbrae residents in the future,” Mayor Anne Oliva stated.
The new building is a major upgrade from the dated-community center which centered around a small auditorium. The new community center consists of two large great halls, a kitchen, two classrooms, an art center, two conference rooms, a game room, a senior lounge, and a fitness center.
Central Park was also upgraded during the reconstruction of the Recreation Center. There is now a new colorful playground, many picnic tables, a biking path, and a well-kept grassy field and trees.
“Every aspect of the new Recreation Center, from the architecture, landscaping, building materials, and art, strongly ties into Millbrae’s rich history and culture. Our mission is to create a space for everyone.” Justine Bleeker, Millbrae Public Information Officer
When the previous Recreation Center was burned down in an apparently accidental fire in 2016, a new Recreation Center was promised to the community. However, three long years went by as the city had to settle with insurance companies and create new modern plans to accommodate the changing needs of the Millbrae community.
After the new construction plans were shared with the public in 2019, construction of the new recreation center began in 2020 and was completed in two years.
With the completion of the new community center, the city of Millbrae created a new mission statement for The Recreation Center. “To engage the community in quality, innovative, and exciting experiences.”
Mills Student Chloe Ho (11) shared, “I go often, I was there last Sunday to attend a MHAI meeting and it was just a nice place to gather. It was our first meeting there, the rooms are very clean and spacious and the lighting gives it a very optimistic vibe.”
In fulfilling the new Recreation Center mission, the City has created a long list of community events, sports training, and classes for people of all ages.
Kids aged 0-14 seem to have the largest variety of classes offered to them from an array of music and art classes to multiple different sport and dance groups. They may also participate in classes for debate skills, money and investing, and “Roblox Game Design”.
Adults and Seniors are offered many engaging and affordable activities including Line Dancing, Senior Boutique Club, Ballroom Dance, Quilting, Chinese Line Dancing, and Sunday Social Dance. Many of these sessions are either free or cost as little as $3.50.
Unfortunately, high school-aged students seem to have the short end of the stick when it comes to the selection of activities with mainly academic support classes being offered. Students between grades six and 12 may take AP Chinese Support as well as enroll in the Daily Academic Support System geared toward kindergarteners to twelfth grade students.
The only sport lessons offered are tennis lessons for anyone aged six and 17.
An event opened to everybody is Movie Night which will take place in the Great Hall of the Recreation Center. The Nightmare Before Christmas is going to be played on October 14th at 6:30pm and Elf is going to be played on December 9th at 6:30pm.
Mills High School student Sarah Lam (11) shares, “I think the movie nights are a sweet way to put the Recreation Center to use. I’ll for sure be bringing my little sisters, they’ll have fun.”
The new Recreation Center provides Mills High School students and the entire Millbrae community with a modern site to learn, gather, and have fun.
