The City of Cedar Park celebrated the grand opening of RE|CREATE on July 11, converting the former public‑library building into a vibrant community center. The 25,500‑square‑foot facility, overseen by the Parks and Recreation Department, now hosts a wide range of classes and activities for children, teens, adults, and seniors.
What RE|CREATE offers
Program offerings include dance, theater, fitness, visual arts, education, homeschool enrichment, senior programming, and a dedicated children’s play area. Upcoming events for August and September feature cooking classes, arts‑and‑crafts workshops, a Mexican‑heritage celebration, and nature‑immersion therapy sessions. Most programs require advance registration through the city’s website; some are free while others carry a modest fee to offset operating costs. The center does not require a membership.
Renovation details
After the library moved to a new location in 2024, the building sat vacant until the city approved a $4 million contract in July 2025 to remodel the space. Funding came from Community Development Type B funds, which are drawn from local sales‑tax revenue. Renovations added three large multipurpose classrooms, two smaller rooms, a theater, and a children’s play area, along with upgrades to the HVAC system, lighting, and interior finishes.
Community response
“This is a good place to connect with people in our community,” said Christine Snitkin, who attended a nature‑collage program on July 23. “I felt welcome. It’s so easy to sign up online and show up.” Linda Klaus, also present at the program, praised the city’s decision to reuse the building rather than abandon it, calling the renovation “awesome.”
Mayor Jim Penniman‑Morin highlighted the project as a testament to “great vision meets community investment,” noting that Cedar Park is home to people from all walks of life and that RE|CREATE provides a platform for everyone to gather, connect, and thrive together. Director of Parks and Recreation Mike DeVito echoed the sentiment, describing the center as “not just a building” but a “platform for bringing our community together across ages and interests.”
Looking ahead
City leaders emphasized that the facility aims to serve residents of all ages and abilities, reinforcing Cedar Park’s commitment to family‑friendly programming and lifelong learning. Attendees like Ranjini Shridhar expressed optimism, saying the center “brings people together, bonds form and that’s how communities are formed.”
RE|CREATE is open to the public without a membership requirement, and registration for classes can be completed online via the city’s website. The center represents a significant investment in local quality of life, turning an unused public building into a hub for education, recreation, and community building.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
