New Lee District Community Center Open In Hybla Valley

HYBLA VALLEY, VA — A new Lee District community center is open and will have a ribbon cutting Saturday, serving the west side of Richmond Highway around Buckman Road in Hybla Valley.

The community center is located at 7950 Audubon Ave, Alexandria, VA, the former location of the Mount Vernon Athletic Club. Fairfax County purchased the building in May 2020 with the intention of establishing a multi-service center. The center will have recreation, youth programs, other community resources, and the Workforce Innovation Skills Hub. The latter is a workforce training and development center to help residents move into higher-paying jobs.

"Not only will this be a space for recreation, but the community center will be an accessible location for residents to learn the skills needed to get a good-paying job," said Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk in a statement. "The Workforce Innovation Skills Hub (W.I.S.H.), housed in the new community center, will provide residents with training in the building trades and in-demand technology jobs."

A name for the community center will be announced by Lusk at a later time. A community engagement process led to the selection of the name.

The community center officially opened in early April and is run by the county's Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. Before the center reopened, the county made updates to accessibility, capital renewal, safety and community uses in the center.

A ribbon cutting will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, followed by tours of the center. Speakers at the event will include Lusk; Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Fairfax); David Levine, president and CEO of Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services; Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey McKay; County Executive Bryan Hill; Lloyd Tucker, director of the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services; Nicholas McCoy, commissioner of the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority; and resident Anthony Thompson.

Registration for the event is requested but not required. Parking will be available in front of the building, as well as Gum Springs Community Center (8100 Fordson Road) and Gerry Hyland Government Center (8350 Richmond Highway) with shuttle bus service starting at 10:40 a.m.