By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Despite steady rain Saturday morning, Seattle Parks and Recreation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the reopening of Hiawatha Community Center in West Seattle’s Admiral District.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, Councilmember Rob Saka and Seattle Parks and Recreation Interim Superintendent Michele Finnagen joined neighbors in commemorating the long-anticipated reopening.
Wilson said community centers play a vital role in strengthening neighborhoods.
“Community centers are where Seattle’s social fabric gets reinforced through trust, culture and everyday connection,” said Wilson. “Hiawatha Community Center has long been a place for West Seattle to gather, for families to enjoy themselves, and for people to connect across generations and cultures.”
Saka described the reopening as a major milestone for District 1 and credited community advocacy for helping bring the renovations to completion.
“The reopening of our beloved Hiawatha Community Center has long been a top priority for my office, and I’m incredibly pleased to finally see its doors open again,” said Saka. “West Seattle has waited a long time for this moment, and this project is deeply important to the neighbors who rely on Hiawatha as a place to gather and connect.”
Saka also said the center carries environmental significance.
“I want to thank Seattle Parks and Recreation for their commitment to this project and for making this the first fully decarbonized community center in Seattle,” said Saka. “I’m also grateful to the community members who have been emailing and calling my office to advocate for this space. Their persistence, partnership and engagement made this reopening possible.”
Hiawatha Community Center holds a special place in Seattle history as the oldest community center in the parks system. The renovation not only extends the life of the historic building but also modernizes it for future generations.
The project included seismic retrofitting of the gym and brick veneer, installation of energy-efficient windows, a roof replacement, renovation of restrooms and kitchen facilities, and installation of a fully electrified HVAC system. The upgrades significantly improve the building’s functionality while preserving its historic character and creating a more welcoming entrance.
Hiawatha now becomes Seattle’s first fully electrified community center, replacing fossil fuel systems with more sustainable energy infrastructure. According to Finnagen, electrification reduces reliance on fossil fuels and aligns with the city’s climate goals.
Buildings account for approximately 40% of Seattle’s climate pollution, making upgrades like those at Hiawatha central to broader environmental efforts.
Wilson said pairing the city’s oldest community center with its first fully electrified designation was symbolic.
“Hiawatha has been here longer than most of us have been alive. It’s Seattle’s oldest community center, and now it’s also our first fully electrified one,” said Wilson. “And I would say that that is not a coincidence. That is what it means for a city to honor what has always been true, that our community centers, the social gathering hubs across our neighborhoods, are worth protecting, worth investing in, and worth getting right.”
Wilson added that community centers serve a purpose far beyond recreation.
“Community centers are not just amenities. They’re the connective tissue of neighborhoods across Seattle,” said Wilson.
Finnagen said the renovated facility will serve as an anchor for the neighborhood.
“We are so excited to open this community center,” said Finnagen. “The renovation of the building creates an anchor for the neighborhood. It furthers Seattle Parks and Recreation’s values of Vibrant Communities, Healthy People, and Thriving Environment. We look forward to offering a welcoming space with programs for all.”
