WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The Martin Luther King Community Center opened its new additions to the public in a ceremonial ribbon cutting Thursday morning.
After nine years in the making, neighbors and community leaders are excited and ready to take advantage of what the newly renovated MLK Community Center has to offer.
"Although it took us some time to make this a reality, we wanted to make sure we did it right," said Mayor Bill Saffo.
Located in the heart of Wilmington along 8th and Ann Streets, one new upgrade is a new gym, featuring a high-school regulation-sized basketball court accommodating volleyball, pickleball and wrestling too.
The goal is to increase the programs offered in the center.
"We are extending our basketball league, having a place for our cheerleaders to practice instead of outside, our wheelchair basketball league, we're hoping to bring in and host a tournament for our city basketball league, and then our pickleballers they'll have another space to play pickleball," said City of Wilmington Athletics Supervisor, Morrell Fox.
The MLK Center also renovating its commercial kitchen, which now serves as a hub for nutrition-based education, and even a space for small businesses to utilize the appliances for their benefit.
"The MLK Center has this opportunity to express how we feel concerning our citizens here within the community by offering a brand new gym and a commercial kitchen where we can promote health, wellness, and family unity," said Recreation Supervisor, Mary Jones.
In attendance at today's ribbon cutting were the Mayor, School Board Member Tim Merrick, and Council member Kevin Spears, amongst other notable City of Wilmington employees.
Now the hope is the new and improved facility will once again take its place as the centerpiece of this community and for parents to let their kids play and feel at ease.
"We never know each day that we're creating history...I don't see many people in here who played in here when I used to play as a kid, but the 8th Street Center was a staple for this community; for young adults," said Council member, Kevin Spears.
"The community wanted a safe place for the kids for the community, so that's what they wanted, and that's what they deserve," said Fox.