Salinas celebrates opening of the new Hebbron Family Center

Officials and residents gathered for the Hebbron Family Center grand opening in Salinas; the 7,500-square-foot facility was rebuilt after the original was demolished and the $14.6 million project used state, federal and local funding.

The city of Salinas held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting for the new Hebbron Family Center on Saturday. Elected officials including U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Mayor Dennis Donohue joined staff and residents for the event. The facility was demolished and rebuilt after the original building fell into disrepair and was red-tagged in 2023. City staff said the project cost more than $14.6 million and was supported by state funding, the American Rescue Plan Act, Community Development Block Grants and city general funds. Event highlights: - Elected officials in attendance included U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Mayor Dennis Donohue. - The new Hebbron Family Center is 7,500 square feet and features two community rooms, two meeting rooms, a teen lounge, a kitchen, outdoor gathering spaces, a resurfaced parking lot and a multi-use sports court. - The original building was erected in 1934, became a recreation center in 1980, and was red-tagged and demolished in 2023. - City staff led by Kristan Lundquist managed the multimillion-dollar rebuild. - City officials said the center will open this week with limited programming, beginning with an afterschool drop-in program. Summary: The rebuilt Hebbron Family Center restores a long-standing community space in east Salinas and was presented by officials as an investment in local opportunity and belonging. The city plans to begin limited programs this week, with the afterschool drop-in as an initial offering.