Activities, specials and prizes at grand opening for Northbrook Community Center on Sunday

The Northbrook Park District is inviting the community to a grand opening celebration for the newly renovated Northbrook Community Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23.

The all-ages free event will feature:

•Pop-in hands-on demos for dance, fitness, art, cooking and theater

•Preschool story time

•15% off program registration (first 15 children to register will receive a limited-edition puppy plush!)

•Family entertainment

•Complimentary coffee tumblers (while supplies last)

•Prize drawings for free tickets for Northbrook Theatre for Young Audiences performances

•Scavenger hunt to earn “Pick Your Own” passes for Park District activities (access to golf courses, Techny Prairie Activity Center and more)

•Light refreshments

The building at 3323 Walters Ave. officially reopened in June after a $12.1 million renovation, one of the Northbrook Park District’s most exciting projects in recent years.

The building houses classes and programs for all ages, along with Sunshine Preschool, Northbrook Theatre and the Northbrook Senior Center. The renovation led to a multifaceted transformation of the facility, which was originally built as a school in the 1960s and acquired by the Park District in 1986.

Park District Board President Mike Goodman said the project reflected the community’s desire to improve and invest into existing facilities. Funding included a $2.8 million state grant, or nearly 20% of the overall cost, which exemplifies the Park District’s commitment to fiscal stewardship, he said.

“This represents a major accomplishment, and another strong example of the district's commitment to fiscal discipline in leveraging partnerships and resources at the local and state level,” he said.

The building now has a welcoming main entrance that leads directly to the customer service front desk, and the interior features expanded hallways and plenty of natural light. There are new areas for performance programs, including a new Studio Theatre, and new gathering areas, including comfortable booths in the hallway.

There are revamped rooms for art programs and senior wellness, a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, renovated classrooms, a new gym floor and more.

Soothing decorative elements include curvy ceiling panels and calming blue and earth tones, as the design by Wight & Company incorporates biophilic principles intended as a desire to create spaces that connect humans and the environment.

Here are some of the programs taking place at the Northbrook Community Center this fall:

·Cooking classes for parents/tots, youth, teens and adults

·Expanded visual arts classes for families, children and adults

·The return of Northbrook Theatre for Young Audiences with “The Tale of a Whale” on Sept. 11-20 and “Pete the Cat” on Nov. 14-Dec. 6

·“Beetlejuice JR” by Northbrook Theatre Youth Company on Oct. 20-25

·“Fools” by Northbrook Adult Community Theatre on Nov. 6-8

·“Yes, Virgina, there is a Santa Claus” by Northbrook Community Theatre on Dec. 11-13

·Youth, adult and senior drama classes

·Dance classes for parents/tots, early childhood, youth and seniors

·General interest classes for ages 0 to 14

·Senior Center classes and activities for ages 55 and up

For more information, come to the grand opening celebration, visit the facility during regular business hours, learn more at nbparks.org/communitycenter or call (847) 291-2993.

Established in 1927, the mission of the Northbrook Park District is to enhance the community by providing outstanding services, parks and facilities through environmental, social and financial stewardship.