East Ridge Community Center Grand Re-Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

City of East Ridge Media Contact: Cameron Hobbs-McAllister 1517 Tombras Avenue Administration | Public Relations East Ridge, Tennessee 37412 cmcallister@eastridgetn.gov (423)867~7711 ● www.eastridgetn.gov 423-664-2576 Press Release Release ID: PR-27-102 Department: Parks & Recreation FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Monday, August 3, 2026 East Ridge Officials Announce Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for East Ridge Community Center on August 22nd EAST RIDGE, TN — The City of East Ridge invites residents and visitors to celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of the newly renovated East Ridge Community Center on Saturday, August 22, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, open house, family activities, tours, and community giveaways. City of East Ridge representatives will participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:00am and invite the public to tour the facility until 4:00pm. Visitors can participate in various family-friendly activities throughout the building, and a light lunch will be served while supplies last. Several East Ridge businesses have joined in the celebration, allowing a raffle to be hosted throughout the event. In 2023, the City of East Ridge was awarded a Local Parks and Recreation (LPRF) grant through the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) that provided $660,000 of the $2.6 Million in construction and renovation costs for East Ridge Community Center. Renovations throughout the facility include new signage, flooring, wall repairs and paint, updated HVAC and fire suppression systems, enhanced ADA accessibility and remodeled restroom facilities. The kitchen is now a stand-alone space that is the perfect blend of a residential and prep kitchen that can also function as a teaching space for future cooking programs. Renovations to the concessions and welcome desk area are scheduled to be completed early this fall. The most significant upgrade to the facility involved the expansion of the Community Center Gym. The 40-foot extension allows for a regulation basketball court, 2 half court playing areas, or 3 pickleball courts with new flooring, upgraded HVAC, new goal systems and upgraded bleachers. This project was the first major renovation to the Community Center since it was constructed in 1994. “The Community Center renovation is about more than new floors, fresh paint, upgrades or an expanded gym,” according to Mayor Brian Williams. “It's about investing in our people and creating opportunities for our community to come together. From youth sports and fitness programs to community events and lifelong learning, the East Ridge Community Center is a place where connections are made every day. We're proud to reopen a facility that reflects the growth and momentum of our city, and we look forward to welcoming residents back to enjoy everything it has to offer.” “This is a huge accomplishment for East Ridge. Our hope is to see programming, events and partnerships fill this building like never before. I want our community to think of resources and fun stuff and assume it’s here!" said Hannah Spear, Community Center Supervisor. "I can’t wait to see the look on folks' faces when they see what we worked so hard on these last 3 years.” Shawnna Skiles, Parks and Recreation Director, also shared, “My role with the city started in this building and I have over 19 years of excitement built up for these changes. When we started this process in 2023, I had recently become the Director of Parks and Recreation, so this is a very full circle moment for me. I cannot wait to see how our department is able to serve the community even better now.” The expansion and renovation positions the East Ridge Community Center as a hub for youth development, senior programming, community events, health and wellness initiatives, and expanded recreational opportunities for residents of all ages. The City encourages residents and visitors to attend, explore the renovated facility, meet Parks and Recreation staff, and learn about upcoming programs and activities. For more information regarding the East Ridge Community Center Grand Re-Opening, programs, and scheduling, please visit www.EastRidgeParksandRec.com and follow CityofEastRidge-Government and CampJordan-EastRidgeParksandRecreation on social media. Hannah Spear Community Center Supervisor hspear@eastridgetn.gov 423-486-2034 Shawnna Skiles Parks & Recreation Director sskiles@eastridgetn.gov 423-260-9190 ### Attached: Event Flyer Attachment: Event Flyer