Community members will have their first opportunity Feb. 21 to see the new spaces, playground and other improvements at the community center that has long served Pasco’s east side neighborhoods. 

City officials will hold a ribbon cutting and tour at the Martin Luther Jr. Community Center at 1 p.m. following the first of three phases of renovations to the facility that has served those living on the east side of downtown for nearly 50 years. 

Before construction, the community center was 22,000 square feet, made up of several buildings and a gym. It is jointly operated by the city, YMCA of the Greater Tri-Cities and United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties, offering a range of activities, from fitness facilities to homework assistance with tutors available. 

The first phase of improvements, estimated to have cost up to $4 million, included bringing the northwest building on the community center’s campus up to current code and accessibility requirements. It also added new classrooms, a community room and a secure outdoor play area. 

The work in the next phase is expected to cost between $4.5 and $5 million, and the city continues to seek additional funding for the project. No funds have been secured for the third phase of the renovations. 

Booth & Sons Construction of Kennewick is the contractor.  

Architects West, based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is the architect.