7 Must-Know Features Of The New Patrick Henry Rec Center: Alexandria's Modern Community Hub
The Patrick Henry Recreation Center, located in Alexandria, Virginia, has undergone a monumental transformation, moving from an aging facility to a cutting-edge, joint-use community hub. As of late 2025, the center is no longer the old building many remember; it is a premier destination for sports, arts, and community engagement, fully operational after a major redevelopment project that concluded in late 2023. This comprehensive upgrade represents a pioneering collaboration, ensuring the facility serves the needs of both students and the wider Alexandria community with state-of-the-art amenities.
This deep dive explores the new reality of the Patrick Henry Rec Center, highlighting its modern facilities, the unique partnership that brought it to life, and the exciting programs you can expect in 2025 and beyond. The center now stands as a model for how public schools and city government can combine resources to create a dynamic space for all residents.
The Patrick Henry Recreation Center: A New Era of Community & Collaboration
The history of the Patrick Henry Recreation Center is one of ambitious vision. Faced with an aging facility, the City of Alexandria and Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) combined two major initiatives—a school replacement and a recreation center upgrade—into a single, shared project. The old recreation center was slated for demolition, making way for a modern, integrated complex.
The result is the Patrick Henry PK-8 School and Recreation Center, a pioneering collaboration that opened its doors in August 2023. This new model allows for shared resources, maximizing the building's utility and providing a much-needed boost to local infrastructure. During school hours, certain areas support student learning, but after 4:30 p.m. and on weekends, an additional 12,000 square feet of dedicated space opens up for public use.
Biography & Key Entity Profile
- Full Name: Patrick Henry PK-8 School and Recreation Center
- Location: 4653 Taney Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304
- Status: New, operational facility (opened August 2023)
- Governing Bodies: City of Alexandria and Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
- Project Type: Joint-Use Facility (School Replacement & Recreation Center Upgrade)
- Key Amenities: Indoor Walking Track, Flex Court, Black Box Theatre, Synthetic Turf Field
- Primary Function: Educational facility during the day; community recreation hub in the evenings and on weekends.
7 State-of-the-Art Features You Must See
The new Patrick Henry Rec Center is packed with modern amenities designed to support a wide range of recreational, athletic, and cultural activities. These features go far beyond the capabilities of the original building, establishing it as a top-tier facility in the City of Alexandria.
1. The Versatile Flex Court
At the heart of the athletic facilities is the new flex court. This court is designed for maximum utility, capable of hosting full-size games for multiple sports. It is a vital space for local leagues and casual play, accommodating full-size basketball games, volleyball matches, and the increasingly popular sport of pickleball.
2. Indoor Walking and Running Lanes
A major upgrade for fitness enthusiasts is the introduction of dedicated indoor running and walking lanes. This feature provides a safe, climate-controlled environment for exercise year-round, regardless of the weather outside. It is a highly sought-after amenity for seniors and those focused on low-impact fitness.
3. The Shared Black Box Theatre
In a unique example of the joint-use model, the center includes a black box theatre. This space is utilized by the Patrick Henry PK-8 School for performances and educational programs during the day. In the evenings, it opens for community use, providing a modern venue for local arts, cultural events, and smaller performances, significantly boosting the area's cultural offerings.
4. New Synthetic Turf Field
The outdoor amenities received a significant boost with the installation of a new synthetic turf field. This field, which opened in August 2023, provides a durable, all-weather surface for soccer, football, and other field sports. It is a key asset for youth sports and community leagues, ensuring consistent playability.
5. Dedicated Multipurpose Rooms for All Ages
The new facility features several multipurpose rooms tailored to different community needs. These spaces are essential for hosting senior programs, arts and crafts classes, community meetings, and various workshops. This focus on diverse programming ensures the center serves every demographic in the Alexandria area.
6. Full-Size Gymnasium
Beyond the flex court, the center includes a full-size gymnasium, which is shared with the school. This large space is crucial for hosting large-scale athletic events, tournaments, and recreational activities, significantly expanding the capacity for indoor sports programming.
7. Modern Outdoor Amenities (Tot Lot & Basketball)
The site also maintains essential outdoor recreational spaces. The final site conditions included the opening of a new Tot Lot for young children and an outdoor basketball court, ensuring that traditional neighborhood recreation options remain available alongside the new indoor facilities.
Upcoming Events and Programming: PatCon and Beyond (2025-2026)
The Patrick Henry Recreation Center serves as a vital hub for community engagement, hosting a wide array of activities managed by the City of Alexandria's Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities (RPCA) department. The center’s calendar is already filling up with exciting events for the upcoming years, demonstrating its role as a cultural cornerstone.
The Rise of PatCon: Alexandria's Anime Convention
One of the most anticipated annual events is PatCon, an all-ages anime convention. The event is a major draw for the region's pop culture and arts community. PatCon 2026 is already scheduled, highlighting the center's capacity to host large, specialized community gatherings.
2025 Community and STEAM Activities
The center is a frequent venue for educational and recreational programs. The calendar for 2025 includes various community engagement events and specialized activities. For example, the center has been the site of the "STEAM-tastic Activities @ the Spooky Mad Science Expo," catering to all ages and promoting interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
The City of Alexandria Parks and Recreation regularly updates its program guide, with events scheduled throughout the year, including workshops and meetings in May and June 2025. Residents are encouraged to check the official RPCA calendar for the latest on youth sports leagues, fitness classes, senior activities, and arts workshops being held at the state-of-the-art facility.
The new Patrick Henry Rec Center is more than just a building; it is a testament to effective public-private partnership and a commitment to modern community services. Its advanced features and robust programming ensure it will remain a central pillar of the Alexandria community for decades to come.
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