Metro Parks Tacoma will hold an open house next month to discuss the possibility of building a new state-of-the-art community center on Tacoma’s eastside.

Earlier this month, Metro Parks Tacoma officials announced a feasibility study was under way for a new community center in response to concerns of neighborhood residents who have advocated for healthy, safe activities for local youth. The study will address service gaps and community needs in the areas of health and recreation activities, social gathering spaces, and educational and cultural opportunities. It is planned for completion early next year. The study is a partnership between the City of Tacoma, Metro Parks Tacoma, Tacoma Housing Authority, and Tacoma Public Schools.

An open house on Oct. 2 invited neighborhood residents to form small focus groups to brainstorm ideas for programming, site location, and what they believe a community center should look like. It was the first of two opportunities for community members to share their ideas.

“This is an exciting time,” said Tacoma Deputy Mayor Marty Campbell, who also represents District 4 on Tacoma City Council. “The discussions about this project with our partner organizations have been great so far, and I’m looking forward to hearing more input from the community.”

Metro Parks Tacoma is also inviting residents to participate in a survey online at surveymonkey.com/s/Eastside-Tacoma.

The next open house will be held on Thurs., Nov. 14, at 6:30 p.m. at Stewart Heights Pool (Splash Room), located at 402 E. 56th St., in Tacoma. More information is available online here.