by Jason Shriner
The jovial, welcoming tone is set the moment you call or walk up to the front desk, where you will be greeted with, “It’s a great day at the Manassas Park Community Center!” More than just a recreational center, this community hub at 99 Adams Street in Manassas Park is a fitness center, educational resource, childcare facility and event venue all in one.
“It started out as a ‘what if ’ conversation and a sketch on the back of a napkin,” Community Center Executive Director Catherine Morretta reminisced. Dreams became a reality when grassroots efforts from the community, a governing body with mobilizing know-how and a tireless city staff came together. Over a five-year period, they secured funding and developed a Public-Private Education Facilities Infrastructure Act partnership which culminated in the new facility opening January 10, 2010.
A Community Hub
Amenities include an NCAA short course pool, a 20,000-squarefoot hardwood floor gymnasium and a recently expanded wellness center containing weight and aerobics equipment. A variety of fitness classes are available, catering to all skill levels and ages.
Embodying the City of Manassas Park Department of Parks and Recreation mission to “support the individual growth and well being of our citizens,” the center was designed as a community gathering place. A banquet hall holds up to 230 people and includes a catering kitchen. There are also multipurpose rooms, conference rooms and outdoor pavilions where patrons can host events such as birthdays, baby showers, business meetings and even weddings. Rental of tables and chairs is included with indoor rentals, and audiovisual equipment, podiums and a dance floor are
available for additional fees.
educational center that serves as a community hub.
Furthering this sense of community, the center hosts more than 20 special events a year such as yard sales, Mother-Son Game Night, Father-Daughter Dance, Arts and Crafts Cornucopia, summer movie nights, Kite Festival and a Kids Triathlon. A dog park on the grounds makes sure that furry family members get in on the fun, with events such as Howl-O-Ween and Beagle Fest.
Regularly scheduled children’s programming includes art and fitness classes, preschool, afterschool care and Kids Korner (a 2-hour sitting service to keep little ones engaged while parents use the facility). Summer camps are available for preschool and school-aged children and encompass a wide range of topics including dance, science, and athletics.
“I’m really pleased with the staff, like the swim instructor Ms. Kim who has taught all of my kids,” LaDonna Mathis, who takes advantage of these programs several times a week, said. “Our membership here allows us to save even more on the already affordable preschool and extended care.”
On the grounds is also Miracle Field, a rubberized field that allows players with disabilities to participate in baseball. “It’s the perfect surface for players that have wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and many other physical impairments to play baseball on,” explained recreation supervisor Tony Thomas. The field is home to Miracle League of Manassas Park, which is part of a network of more than 250 Miracle Leagues nationwide. Started in Georgia in 1998, these leagues enable children with disabilities to enjoy the national pastime.
“We encourage local organizations, sports teams and individuals to help with coaching, running the bases or standing in the outfield with the players,” said Thomas.
Customized Membership
While activities and amenities can be experienced at one-time, drop-in rates, if you plan to frequent the facility, you’ll save with one of the center’s membership plans. For a monthly rate of $99 for Manassas Park residents or $129 for non-residents, the popular All-Access Membership gives households of up to 10 family members access to all facility amenities plus the ability to participate in nearly all of the center’s programs for no additional fee.
and learning.
“We ended up getting an All-Access Membership for the entire family because it is such a great value. The primary reason was to put our two kids in their wonderful summer camps,” customer Gemma Perez shared. “The bonus came with the great classes and programs we can and do attend. I am especially fond of the cake baking and decorating classes and the kids are learning to swim. All of the staff is friendly and the instructors are very knowledgeable.”
Marketing Manager Jennifer Deuterman explained that the pass was designed to help members with children bridge the financial gap to allow their entire family to participate in programming. “The All-Access membership was first available in February 2013 and we quickly saw our programs being fully utilized. Last summer we saw 2,500 kids enrolled in our summer camps,” Deuterman said.
There are also membership plans that cater to corporate wellness, teens, seniors and those with cognitive disabilities. Staff can help select the right membership package for your needs; just call 703-335-8872 or visit the center.
“Our customer service philosophy is to treat everyone with respect, kindness and courtesy. We want to be accommodating,” Operations Manager Jay Swisher explained. “We’re big on being all-inclusive, open and accepting to the entire community and we want to be available to provide lots of opportunities.”
Jason Shriner is a baking and pastry instructor at the Manassas Park Community Center and video blogger at TheAubergineChef.com. He can be reached at theAubergineChef@gmail.com.
