The REC Center to Open Bloomington Location by Breeanna Jent - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

FEBRUARY
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
View Events
Submit Events
directory

The REC Center to Open Bloomington Location

By Breeanna Jent, Staff Writer
January 29, 2014 at 10:37am. Views: 46

The REC Center is gearing up to open its third location in less than two years, this time expanding into Bloomington. The community-program based recreation center is slated to host the grand opening for the new location on Feb. 1. The new Bloomington location offers the center its very own community center space, which allows the organization to host several more programs, explained director Jennifer Araiza. "We have a full location that's totally our own and the community has been amazingly receptive," she said. "This gives us the opportunity for serving more people. There are about 21,000 people living in the community." The population of 21,000 is about double the current population the center serves in its Grand Terrace and Highgrove locations, and the Bloomington area space is about three times as large. Araiza's ties to the community were what led her to expand into Bloomington. "It's my hometown, it's where I graduated high school and the ability to bring some of our top-performing programs, as far as attendance goes, was my opportunity to give back to the community that raised me," said Araiza. The REC Center was opened in Grand Terrace in 2012, eventually obtaining a brick and mortar building near the city's south end on La Crosse avenue in May 2013. Later that summer, the center expanded into the neighboring community of Highgrove. The REC Center provides resources, education and recreation focused programs to communities that may otherwise not have them, including art, music, sports and recreation programs. "The Bloomington studio will offer all the classes and programs offered in Grand Terrace and Highgrove but because we have a bigger studio we are able to offer more," said Araiza, who noted that she hopes to make connections with local government and education agencies to establish a pre-school and after-school program at the Bloomington location. "Really, we're super excited to be in the community and in a facility that will allow us to cater to all this program can be," Araiza said. The Bloomington location will officially open on Feb. 1. All are welcome to join in the celebration, which will feature refreshments, vendors, and live performances by class instructors and youth members, with a few local dignitaries expected to attend as well. The celebration will span from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Bloomington location, 18604 Jurupa Avenue, Bloomington.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: CalKIDS

By Vanessa Vizard, Contributing Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:48pm. Views: 148

An event staff member assists an attendee at the CalKIDS check-in table, helping her register and sharing information as community resources are made available.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By William Cortez, Community Writer

February 10, 2026 at 03:03pm. Views: 497

A job seeker speaks with a representative at a Business & Employment Resource Center (BERC) booth during a career fair, where employers share information and resources with attendees in a bright indoor venue.

Photo Courtesy of: ChatGPT (AI-generated)

By Ruby Stephenson, Contributing Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:48pm. Views: 210

AI-rendered image: Community members, families, and children gather outside the boarded entrance of Moreno Valley Mall, where signs posted on the doors read “Mall Closed,” illustrating the impact of a temporary shutdown on local residents.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:48pm. Views: 150

CSHS Athlete of the Week: Abubacarr Saidy

Photo Courtesy of: Elci Photography

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:48pm. Views: 416

“Chuck” William Cecil and his wife, Beverly Cecil, stand proudly with Johan Gallo, Grand Terrace Cars & Coffee's coordinator, as they are recognized for their long-standing dedication and support of Grand Terrace Cars & Coffee

Photo Courtesy of: Congressman Pete Aguilar

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:48pm. Views: 151

House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar represents the 33rd Congressional District of California. He is the keynote speaker at The Democratic Luncheon Club of San Bernardino’s 32nd Annual Banquet and Installation of Officers.

Photo Courtesy of: City of San Bernardino, Instagram: IE Voice

By Ruby Stephenson, Contributing Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:50pm. Views: 312

A bright red and gold dragon costume weaves through a crowd of smiling adults and children at an outdoor festival, as performers lean down to interact with attendees during a lively dragon dance.

Photo Courtesy of: Designed by Freepik

By Charmaine Mislang, Community Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:48pm. Views: 243

Two students stand in a library, looking down at an open book together, with shelves of books visible in the background.
Over the past year, Redlands Unified has relied on Administrative Regulation 1312.2 – Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials, a policy adopted by the Board of Education on Aug. 19, 2025, to guide how concerns about library and instructional materials are reviewed.

Photo Courtesy of: VA Loma Linda

By Stephen K. Robinson, Contributing Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:49pm. Views: 260

Exterior view of the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Medical Center, a large beige multi-story building with blue window accents. Three flagpoles displaying the American flag and military service flags stand in front of the entrance, surrounded by landscaped grass, rocks, and a small water feature.

Photo Courtesy of: Youtube: SBS Probation

By William Cortez, Contributing Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:49pm. Views: 226

An indoor workshop scene shows teaching artists, M. Ahofi and J. Lee of PMHU, seated and playing guitar and cello, while others observe in the background. The photo is depicted with a blue, on-screen banner reading, “Mapping Progress: Project: Music Heals Us.”

Photo Courtesy of: ChatGPT (AI-generated)

By Tracy Calentti, Contributing Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:49pm. Views: 292

An AI-rendered image showing a person wearing a hood and gloves removing a property tax payment envelope from a blue mail drop box during low light conditions.

Photo Courtesy of: Jsmithwikigt, Wikipedia

By Charmaine Mislang, Community Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:49pm. Views: 223

City of Grand Terrace images from top, left to right - Grand Terrace City Hall, Blue Mountain Trail, Northeast City Entrance, Historical Plaque, Veterans Wall of Freedom.

--> -->