New Mount Dora community hub is scheduled for open house on SeptEMBer 1 -4

A long-awaited new hub in Northeast Mount Dora will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 31, followed by open house events on September 1 through September 4 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day. During the open house, residents can tour the Nathaniel Bell Community Resource and Recreation Center and register for a free membership to use the facility during its regular hours.  Free membership is open to everyone regardless of residency.  The official grand opening will be September 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
​
The roughly 31,100-square-foot, multi-use facility is designed to bring recreation, education, programs, and essential resources together under one roof. The center also represents a dramatic transformation of the site it replaces.

The modern, airy, and colorful facility replaces Mount Dora's former Public Works building, which had blighted the surrounding residential neighborhood for years. In its place is a bright, welcoming space designed to serve residents of all ages and provide a variety of programs and services for residents across the city.

The $16 million center, funded by the Northeast CRA and located at 1010 Lincoln Avenue, was shaped in part by input gathered through several public meetings. The goal was to create more than simply a recreation facility. The city envisioned the center as a place where residents from across Mount Dora can gather, learn, participate in activities, access resources, and build connections.

The building's thoughtful design includes spaces targeted to a wide range of ages and interests. For young people, the center features a teen lounge furnished with couches and televisions, along with foosball and ping pong. A computer lab equipped with 24 computers provides access to technology, education, and other programs.

A commercial kitchen adds another useful resource. In addition to classes and other activities, the kitchen can support various food-related purposes, including food distribution in partnership with Lake Cares Food Pantry and Care Closet.

There are also dedicated areas for younger children and senior citizens, along with meeting and classroom spaces and flex spaces that can be adapted for various needs.

At the heart of the facility is a beautiful gymnasium with locker rooms, providing space for basketball, recreation programs, and other activities. Outside, the property includes parking, covered drop-off areas, and a large, fenced grassy area that provides flexible outdoor space for recreation, programs, and gatherings.

​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit Mount Dora Buzz's website, its Instagram  and Facebook page.  Sign up for the free monthly edition here.

Sign up for Mount Dora Buzz