Midland Community Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Midland Community Center |
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Brutalist |
| Address | 2205 Jefferson Ave, Midland, Michigan 48640 |
| Coordinates | 43°37′03″N 84°13′41″W / 43.617592°N 84.228015°W |
| Groundbreaking | 2022 |
| Completed | 2024 |
| Inaugurated | May 15, 2024 |
| Cost | $58.6 million |
| Owner | Greater Midland Community Centers |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Brick |
| Floor count | 2 |
| Floor area | 140,000 sq ft (13,000 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | Barker, Rinker, Seacat Architecture |
| Main contractor | Clark Construction |
The Midland Community Center (MCC) is a huge building in Midland, Michigan. It has two floors and is about 140,000 sq ft (13,000 m2) big. This center offers many ways for people to grow, have fun, and connect with others in the community.
Contents
A Look Back: The Center's History
The Midland Community Center started a long time ago, on January 14, 1919. It opened with the very first bowling alley in Midland! Over time, the center became a popular spot. It slowly added more sports and fun activities. These included basketball, handball, volleyball, table tennis, pickleball, archery, tennis, and softball.
The first main building at the center's current spot opened on October 30, 1955. The Dow Chemical Company helped pay for it, costing $1.5 million. Since then, the center has grown bigger many times. For example, in 2005, the locker rooms were completely updated. They got new lockers, better floors, and new plumbing. Also in 2005, the MCC had 900,000 visits from members. That's like 2,465 people using the center every single day!
How the Center Grew Bigger
In 2005, a new group called the Greater Midland Community Centers, Inc. (GMCC) was formed. This group helps guide five different recreation centers in Midland County, including the Midland Community Center. The GMCC even set up offices inside the MCC.
Around this time, the GMCC started a big fundraising effort to "make life better for Midlanders." Many people and businesses gave money. Most of the funds came from local charities. This money helped pay for three projects. More than half of it was used to create an "outdoor campus" at the MCC.
Outdoor Fun: The Expansion Project
Midland has many cold days each year, so the MCC used to focus mostly on indoor activities. But a $2.5 million expansion in 2008 changed that! This plan added lots of outdoor fun. Some houses near the center were moved or taken down to make space. This new space became a parking area, an outdoor running track, outdoor basketball courts, and a playground for kids. Walking and biking trails were also added. The center now has a 12-acre (4.9 ha) campus for outdoor activities.
To make room for these new areas, a street called George Street was closed. It became the driveway to the new parking lot. A new entrance was also built on Jefferson Avenue. All these changes were finished in late 2008. In 2009, the MCC celebrated 90 years of serving the community.
What Can You Do Here? Programs and Activities
The Midland Community Center offers many different activities for everyone. They have classes for kids and adults, drop-in sessions, and sports leagues.
- Water Fun: There are aquatics programs, which means activities in the water.
- Indoor Sports: You can play basketball, volleyball, pickleball, gymnastics, and even curling inside.
- Outdoor Sports: They also organize outdoor sports like flag football with the Midland Parks and Recreation department.
- Arts and Culture: The center often has art lessons, singing or instrument lessons, and dance classes.
- Specialty Fitness: If you like unique ways to stay active, they offer fencing, martial arts (like karate and judo), Yoga, non-contact boxing, billiards, table tennis, and badminton.
How the Center Gets Money
The United Way of Midland County helps a lot with funding the center. They give money for education, self-sufficiency, and health programs. The MCC also gets support from local companies. These companies help pay for specific programs and free activities.
The New Building: A Modern Hub
After many years of planning, construction started in the summer of 2022 on the MCC property. A brand new Greater Midland Community Center opened its doors on May 15, 2024. This amazing new building cost $58.6 million to build.
While the new building was being built, the older center stayed open. The new 140,000 sq ft (13,000 m2) building has many cool features:
- A modern fitness center that is open 24/7.
- Lap pools and leisure pools for swimming and fun.
- A walk/jog track inside the main gym (called the MAC gymnasium).
- Courts for basketball, pickleball, and volleyball.
- Flexible spaces for older adults, events, and different programs.
- Special classrooms for early childhood education.
Just before the new building opened, the old structure was taken down. That space then became a new parking lot for the center.
