City kicks off new year by fully reopening community and event center

It had been 664 days since the Mercer Island Community and Event Center was fully open due to the pandemic.

Jan. 4 was a big day for the city and its residents, according to Recreation Division Manager Ryan Daly, as the center’s doors swung open at 10 a.m. Activities included kids playing in the gym, senior volleyball matches, ping-pong action and residents hanging out and enjoying the space once again.

With the center in welcome-back mode, there were free activities, coffee and snacks from Jan. 4-8.

“It kind of clicked with me for the first time in a while, all of a sudden we’re back to being a community center,” he said. “Before, it was only those individuals in a program that were paying to come in here to use the facility. Now truly the community gets to access this facility and enjoy it.”

The center’s expanded operations for residents will include both passive use and scheduled activities, drop-in activities, fitness center and game room usage and gym, meeting rooms and Mercer Room rentals. The center is ultimately a gathering space for people who are playing sports or just want to hang out and visit with others, Daly said.

Prior to the grand reopening, pickleball, basketball, volleyball and badminton were offered at the center along with summer camps, and now the docket includes those four sports plus senior volleyball, indoor playground, youth basketball, open gym and senior gym walking. All activities will take place in the gym at different times and on separate days. Patrons can view the full drop-in schedule at: https://www.mercerisland.gov/par…/page/recreation-programs.

While there are plenty of activities happening within the center, there is one challenge facing the staff now that it’s offering more opportunities for users.

“I think the biggest request we’re receiving is different user groups wanting more opportunities in the gym. Trying to find a way to balance those for the different user groups is a challenge,” said Daly, adding that the staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission want to ensure that everyone in the community can take part in activities.

Patrons are required to mask up when inside the center and need to show proof of full vaccination status or proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test from the last 72 hours. Individuals under 12 years of age are not required to be tested for entry or show proof of vaccination.

In the safety realm, Daly noted that he feels the staff and community are in partnership with how the facility operates during these ever-changing times.

“It’s just been very smooth and the public has been so patient with the process changes,” said Daly, noting that staff has issued occasional gentle reminders for people to secure their masks firmly in place.

Over at the volleyball court on a recent day, Elise Quinn was thumping the ball around with other players and was thrilled to be participating in her favorite sport.

Quinn is on the board for USA Volleyball and was a former director of the Mercer Island Volleyball Club.

“We love it. The whole community loves it and so we hope that it just keeps going because it’s really important for our health,” said Quinn, noting that volleyball is mentally stimulating as well. “Most of my friends now are volleyball players. Now that my kids are grown, that’s my own playground now.”

Daly said they’re working on increasing staffing levels and operating hours as they move into the spring season.

The center is located at 8236 SE 24th St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information on activities and schedules, visit https://www.mercerisland.gov/parksrec/page/micec.