For the past 100 years, thousands of Orindians have headed over to the city’s community center for summer camps, concerts, fitness classes, or special events. Located at 28 Orinda Way, the Orinda Community Center, right in the heart of Orinda, is a special place for different events to be held.
The building first opened as the Orinda School with only 47 students in 1925. As the years progressed, enrollment rose to 550 students; however, the school closed down in 1973. About two years later, in 1975, the school reopened its doors as the towns’ community center, and today it serves thousands of people each year.
“I believe the residents of Orinda truly appreciate the community center for what it is and for what it offers,” Parks & Recreation Director Todd Trimble said.
The community center today consists of 11 rooms, as well as staff offices and a maintenance shop. The center’s rooms provide space for recreational classes, camps, and private events, while also providing rental space for a variety of functions, including picnics, parties and meetings.
“The community center provides something for everyone, whether it’s a class, a meeting, a lesson, a cool place in the summer and a warm place in the winter – it’s a gathering place for our residents, a place that creates community,” Trimble said.
“I love being around all of the people that are here and the events that happen in the community center,” senior Bailey Brothers said. Brothers has been dancing at the Orinda Ballet Academy, located in the community center, for 13 years. After dancing at the center four days a week for most of her life, Brothers has a deep appreciation for the building and its sentimental value after dancing here for thousands of days in her life.
“The building is very nice and convenient, particularly because of its location in the center of Orinda,” Brothers said. “It’s so easy to walk right over if you’re at Safeway, CVS, really anywhere in Orinda.”
The next time you find yourself in search of an Easter Egg Hunt, a Fourth of July Parade, a Trunk & Treat Halloween event, or even a 10 week summer camp, head over to the Orinda Community Center. To learn more information about the center celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, check out the video playing on the big TV as you walk in from the main steps of the building. Or, visit the outside courtyard just behind the center, to relax and enjoy all the building has to offer.
