By Heather Chapman

This month we will host a monumental event for the Parks and Recreation department – the Groundbreaking Ceremony and Concert for the future Kernersville Community Recreation and Event Center.

Members of the community are invited to celebrate the new recreation and event center, that will be located on the corner of Shields Road and Union Cross road, on Saturday, June 10. Brief remarks from Mayor Dawn Morgan, and the Parks and Recreation Director, Ernie Pages will begin promptly at 10:30AM. The celebrations will continue that evening at 5:30PM at Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex. Join us for a performance by The Embers, featuring Craig Woolard, a beer and wine garden (courtesy of the Sister City Association), Food Trucks: Crazy Dog (Mexican food & More), Giannos Pizza, Hot Dog Hideaway (hotdogs), Hot Diggity Dog (Burgers, Fries, chicken wings and sausages), D&R Sweet Treats, Kona Ice, and best of all a fireworks show will conclude the event at sundown. 

The first floor of the event center includes: three NBA sized indoor basketball courts, a performance stage, multi-purpose room, four classrooms, a dance/aerobic room, full kitchen for teaching, and an indoor/outdoor room. The second floor includes an elevated indoor walking track, and an office suite. 

“We are excited to see the community’s vision for the recreation center come to fruition,” said Ernie. We started collecting public input back in early 2021, and we presented the board with the plan in late 2021 which was then approved. Through various meetings, the approved concept was formalized into construction documents and are now ready to break ground on the building. The 52,000 square foot building will provide ample flexibility for community members who are interested in fitness, programming, cultural arts, camps, meeting rooms, events and so much more! The proposed opening will be Fall 2024.

Our Movies in the Park kicked off last month and we are moving right into summer. Join us on Friday, June 16 for our featured presentation, “DC Legend of Super Pets.” Bring a blanket or chair and set up in Harmon Park for a free family movie night. We will have food options on-site including Chick-fil-A, D&R Sweet Treats, Patriot Pretzel Company, Kona Ice and Numbskull ice cream.

Come early to enjoy games and visit the vendor booths for free goodies. Movies begin at dusk. The playground will be closed once the movie begins for safety precautions.