On Saturday, Oct. 10, community members, elected officials and local advocates gathered at West Hill Community Center at Dimmit Middle School to celebrate a milestone for the Skyway neighborhood. King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced that the county has green‑lit a plan to transform the shuttered Skyway Park Bowl into the area’s first dedicated community center.
Why a community center matters
“For my entire time as an elected official, the number one need I’ve heard from the community is a community center,” Zahilay told the Reporter. Zahilay, who has represented Skyway on the King County Council since 2019 and took the executive role in 2025, recalled growing up in Skyway without easy access to parks, transit or youth programs. He said the loss of those resources felt isolating and motivated his push for a local hub.
Advocates echoed that sentiment. Rebecca Zepata, executive director of the Skyway Coalition, described the upcoming center as a cornerstone for “building a better future” for a community she has called home for two decades.
Addressing past pushback
Earlier attempts to secure a nearby facility met resistance. A former King County department director suggested residents travel to the Rainier Beach Community Center, a ten‑minute drive away. Zahilay argued that distance is a barrier for children without cars, seniors, people with disabilities and families relying on limited transit. “When you’re a kid who doesn’t have access to a car or lots of transit options, or you have younger siblings to take care of, or you’re an elder, or you have disabilities, that might as well be across the state,” he said.
Remembering the bowling alley
The old Skyway Park Bowl has long served as a gathering place. Cherryl Jackson‑Williams, who grew up bowling there, described the alley as an “embracing, inclusive space” where she felt she belonged. She recalled the unique culture of the lane, saying it felt like a sanctuary where neighbors could “feel free to be in space with one another.” Jackson‑Williams, now a community volunteer, expressed pride in seeing the project move forward.
Planned features
According to a press release from the King County Executive’s office, the new center will include a full‑size gymnasium, outdoor seating, a stage area, a senior gathering space, dedicated youth and teen zones, and rooms for art, technology and fitness programs. The design aims to be walkable and well‑served by public transit, addressing the accessibility concerns raised by residents.
Next steps
Zahilay, Zepata and other speakers urged attendees to submit ideas for the center’s design and programming. The county will move forward with architectural plans, community outreach and fundraising efforts, with construction slated to begin later this year.
The celebration underscored the power of decades‑long grassroots advocacy and the importance of local, walkable spaces that strengthen families, faith communities and the broader neighborhood.
Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.
