WELCOME TO THE EAST LIBRARY AND RECREATION CENTER O P E N I N G F - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

WELCOME TO THE EAST LIBRARY AND RECREATION CENTER

O P E N I N G F A L L 2 0 2 0

This collaborative project between the Parks and Recreation and Libraries departments is the first of its kind in The American Dream City.

The co-facility, located at 2025 Craig Hanking Drive off New York Avenue, will replace the existing Hugh Smith Recreation Center and the East Branch Library. The 47,249-square-foot facility is set to open in Fall 2020. Funding for the $26 million project was approved by voters in the 2014 Bond Election. To create a single building with two distinct functions, architects were inspired by the architecture and automotive designs from the 1950s and today. The intertwining of curved and angular elements, joined by a shared lobby, creates a state-of-the art facility that honors Arlington’s history while providing a modern space for present and future generations. The East Library and Recreation Center project aligns with the City Council priorities to Champion Great Neighborhoods and Support Our Youth and Families.

– Lemuel Randolph, Director of Parks and Recreation – Norma Zuniga, LIBRARIES Director

SERVING THE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS OF EAST ARLINGTON

LIBRARY RECREATION AQUATICS SENIORS SHARED LOBBY/CIRCULATION

FACILITY LAYOUT

EAST LIBRARY AND RECREATION CENTER PROJECT RECEIVES $750,000 TECHNOLOGY GRANT

A $750,000 Texas Library and Archives Commission grant will help the City increase the community’s access to technology within and surround the future East Library and Recreation Center. The state’s Library Innovation Zone grant will allow Arlington to expand internet availability, creating a tech- centered community outdoor space, while increasing the technological capabilities within the recreation center and library as well. The latter will allow for the creation

• f a high-tech community room and

a video chat room that partners can use to interact with residents through classes and meetings and virtual appointments, including appointments with medical providers. “We know that not all households in our growing community have access to computers or highspeed

• internet. Yet these tools today are

critical when it comes to connecting

• ur residents with educational and

career resources, public services or even information about their local government or school district,” Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams said. “Our goal with the East Arlington Innovation Zone is to improve access to technology and technology- centered programming to help bridge

• ur community’s digital divide and

ensure Arlington is a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can achieve their American Dream.” Additionally, the grant money will be used to add charging stations, a laptop dispenser with computers that residents may check out, internet hotspots for checkout, and will give residents the ability to interact with a robotic agriculture system to learn about gardening.

The City of Arlington partnered with students from UTA’s College of Architecture

• n the design of the outdoor community working space for the Library Innovation Zone.

LIBRARY FEATURES

The East Arlington Library is an open concept library expected to be a community hub for shared resources such as books, children’s toys, and public computers for our

• residents. The library will provide literacy tools to support

students, families, and lifelong learners. Free programs include bilingual early literacy storytimes; GED, ESL, and

• ther adult education classes; and events for seniors.

The Innovation Zone allows Arlington to expand internet availability, creating a tech-centered community outdoor space, while increasing the technological capabilities within the recreation center and library spaces.

TECHNOLOGY

Library visitors have access to public computing, including a laptop dispenser that allows residents to check out

• technology. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and a laptop bar in the lobby
• r charge your device in one of our charging stations.

Visitors also have access to printing, faxing, scanning and mobile print capabilities. Children will be able to explore the technology with our Discovery Stations and access homework resources as well as educational games on our children’s computers. AISD students have access to computers by using their AISD student (“lunch”) numbers at any time.

BOOKS, DVDS AND MORE

Discover our collection of books, DVDs, CDs and more. Books in Spanish, Vietnamese, French and other languages are available, as well as e-books and e-audio books. Young children can enjoy exploring our Read It Again kits, and our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten backpacks.

LIBRARY CARDS

If you live in Arlington, you can use all our library resources for free! Come to any library location to get started. The application is easy, and your account is free! Already have a Parks & Rec card? We can link your free library account for your convenience!

PROGRAMMING

We offer dynamic programming for every age. Children can discover and grow in the library with interactive experiences, learning and play. Storytimes, including our Bilingual storytime, engage children with short stories, finger plays, action rhymes, and songs. Programs for children include exploring STEM concepts and so much more! Adults can attend programs focused on career development, small business, computer skills as well as take advantage of opportunities to create and try new things. We

• ffer book clubs, conversation circles and adult education.

ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM

Our adult education program is an accredited program that addresses adult literacy needs in the community. All our services are at no cost to the student. We offer High School Equivalency, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Citizenship classes as well as workforce training

• pportunities. Classes available by registration. Morning

and evening classes are offered for your convenience.

RECREATION FEATURES

Arlington’s investment in the health and recreational

• pportunities of its residents is on full display with the new

East Library and Recreation Center, which will replace the Hugh Smith Recreation Center and Senior Center New York, which were constructed in the 1960s. With the scan of one library/recreation center card, guests will have access to a wide array of programs and

• services. The recreation elements of the center include a

gymnasium, indoor pool with party room, fitness center, locker rooms, group exercise room, community meeting rooms, and outdoor amenities.

FITNESS

The new center features multiple workout locations, including an expansive fitness room featuring cardio machines, circuit equipment and free weights. In addition to this space is a separate group fitness room that will offer a variety of classes such as Zumba, H.I.I.T. (High Intensity Interval Training), circuit training, yoga and more.

GYMNASIUM

Whether you’re interested in shooting some hoops, playing pick-up basketball or another sport, the largest recreational space of the new center will meet all of your sporting needs. The gym features a regulation-sized full length basketball court, that can also be split into multiple smaller courts for players of all ages.

CHILDCARE

Parks and Rec staff will offer child care to our guests while they are in the facility, providing a fun and enjoyable environment for children to play, while allowing adults to enjoy the numerous leisure and educational opportunities within the new center.

INDOOR POOL

The new 113,309-gallon indoor pool will operate year round and provide the perfect spot for lap swim, aqua- fitness classes, swim instruction and leisure play.

SENIOR LOUNGE & DINING SPACE

The East Library and Recreation Center will include dedicated space for seniors to gather for meals, crafts, educational seminars, games and more.

PRIVATE EVENTS

Birthday parties, reunions, showers, sports rentals, meetings and more! There is even a dedicated party room

• verlooking the indoor pool. Other rooms, gyms, fitness

areas, child watch area and more may be rented during and after business hours.

“We’ve been collaborating over the last couple of years to determine how we are going to program effectively for the entire community, providing state-of- the-art library and parks and recreation services. We really feel like we are going to deliver on this account with this project.”

• - Lemuel Randolph, Parks and Recreation Director.