Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place Ocala, Fla.

Project Description:

The Mary Sue Rich Community Center is a two-story facility constructed with the purpose of providing a central location for community events, activities and programs. The center includes designated indoor spaces for senior, youth and family programs, a 400-seat banquet/event space, a kitchen, health and wellness facilities, and a library.

The site of the center was formerly occupied by the Royal Oak Charcoal Plant, which closed in 2006 after 30 years of operation. The plant was a source of pollution for the surrounding neighborhood, and Ruth Reed, the president of Neighborhood Citizens of Northwest Ocala, led a campaign to have it shut down. The center was named after Mary Sue Rich, a longtime resident of Ocala who was active in the community. Rich was a strong advocate for the arts, education and recreation, and she believed that a community center would be a valuable resource for the people of Ocala.

The Mary Sue Rich Community Center is now a thriving hub of activity in the community. It hosts a variety of programs and events, including senior programs, such as arts and crafts, fitness classes, and computer classes; youth programs, such as sports leagues, arts and crafts, as well as homework help; family programs, such as movie nights, game nights and cooking classes; and community events, such as concerts, festivals and fundraisers. A valuable resource for the people of Ocala, the Mary Sue Rich Community Center provides a place for people of all ages to come together and participate in activities that enrich their lives.