ST. LOUIS — The Florissant community celebrated the grand opening of the newly renovated JFK Community Center by hosting an open house for local officials and residents.
“That’s why we brought everybody here to do some free giveaways and free snacks to show them how nice this is. The response has been overwhelming. They are booking it up like crazy,” said Steve Weiersmueller, City of Florissant’s interim project manager and IT director.
The city transformed the former youth lounge into their senior center, which doubles as party room rental in the evening. The mayor believed this was needed in North County.
“One thing about North County is that we did not have a big event space. A space where we can have larger events. We find ourselves going to other communities to have those,” said Mayor Timothy J. Lowery, City of Florissant.
The gymnasium can be used for basketball and pickleball but it also doubles as an event venue that can hold 360 people or more. Residents believe the center is better than the James Eagan Center.
“The lunchroom was very small for the people that came in. Even for them to walk around, they could not but in here they can. It’s much, much better,” said Ann Alfano, resident.
There are two smaller, renovated rooms available for visitors. They also renovated their kitchen and patio.
“We decided we had some money left over from the American Rescue Plan Act funds that came into the city. This would be a great resource we could pour money into and have the residents benefit from it,” said Steve Weiersmueller, the City of Florissant’s interim project manager and IT director.
Several residents came out to enjoy the complimentary appetizers, drinks, desserts, free giveaways and a free grand prize drawing. The Center promises to be a hub for recreational activities, social gatherings, and community events, revitalizing the neighborhood.
Public officials and residents believe the newly renovated center will unite and uplift the community and stand as a beacon of hope for the future of the city of Florissant.