Welcoming new and returning people into the Mercer Island Community and Event Center is an exciting aspect of being involved in the daily operations of the Island’s vital facility, according to recreation program supervisor Katie Herzog.

Herzog and the center’s staff have witnessed numbers rise each year for drop-in activities and punch-pass purchases. With another round of solid offerings on the docket, they’re set to continue 2024’s robust attendance into the new year.

“We’re ready for 2025 and feel like we’re kicking it off with some good programs and some events right around the corner,” Herzog said.

Popular drop-in activities include pickleball, volleyball and much more, and there’s also an indoor playground for kids and a fitness center that attract a plethora of residents. Other highlights that have people traversing a healthy path include Musical Fitness for Seniors, Jazzercise and pre-ballet with the Emerald Ballet Theatre, and for the tuneful folks there’s Music Together with Mrs. Chrisi — an adult and child singing program.

Dipping further into the senior realm, the center will once again partner with the city’s Youth and Family Services department to host their second annual Senior Resource Fair on March 1.

“(We’re) bringing it back this year because we saw such a great turnout of both vendors and the community coming in and finding all sorts of resources that they might need, from health to safety supports, mental health care, volunteer opportunities. Kind of the whole gamut of seniors finding things that they need in one spot,” Herzog said.

While the center sometimes acts as a cooling or warming shelter when the weather majorly fluctuates, it played a pivotal role for residents during the recent “bomb cyclone” that knocked out power for a majority of Islanders. Copious locals gathered at the center to charge their phones and laptops, get in some work hours and touch base with neighbors during the trying time.

Herzog said that people were appreciative of the city’s pivot to turn the center into even more of a community hub with extended hours on several days.

“It was great that we could have these big generators out in front and have people able to charge up, because not having power is so terrible. We had teachers sitting at tables grading papers because they needed a little bit of light to do so,” said Herzog, adding that nearly 200 people visited the center one afternoon.

Partnerships between the city, parks and rec and local organizations are also key in drawing visitors to the center and bringing community events to life like the Mercer Island Chinese Association’s (MICA) Mid-Autumn Festival Carnival and Lunar New Year celebration, the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Makers Market and more. MICA’s next Lunar New Year celebration is scheduled for Feb. 2 at the center.

“These are such great partnerships and it’s a way that we can help support to bring more events to the community by partnering,” Herzog said.

From classes to events to people just hanging out with each other, Herzog and the staff feel like the center is always bustling with activity. Community coffee gatherings two days and week and center rentals are also key components to the whole scenario.

“It’s really great to see our community coming into the center and seeing what we have to offer,” she said.

The center is located at 8236 SE 24th St. For hours and more information, visit https://www.mercerisland.gov/parksrec/page/micec

Emerald Ballet Theatre offers pre-ballet classes at the community and event center. Photo courtesy of the city of Mercer Island

Musical Fitness for Seniors is a popular class at the community and event center. Reporter file photo