The grand opening and ribbon cutting of the long-awaited Family First Community Center (FFCC) was held on Friday, June 16 in Renton.

A partnership of former Seattle Seahawk Doug Baldwin Jr.’s Family First Community Center Foundation, the City of Renton, the Renton School District and Healthpoint, the FFCC will provide recreation, education, wellness services and health clinics.

“When I first came here in 2011, the community accepted me as one of their own. I got to know a group of teens that did homework at a restaurant called Mama’s Teriyaki, and that’s when my initial vision for the Family First Community Center started,” Baldwin said. “Growing up in Florida, my local community center added so much to my childhood, and there wasn’t a resource like that here.”

Some of the programs that are offered at FFCC are after-school programs, youth and adult sports and cooking and nutrition classes, along with a health clinic that deals with medical, dental and behavioral health.

A large crowd gathered at the new community center, which included Congressman Adam Smith, Representative Steve Bergquist, King County Councilman Dave Upthegrove, Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone and the Renton City Council. The crowd was also entertained by the Seahawks mascot, Blitz, the Seahawk cheer squad and the Seahawks’ Blue Thunder drumline.

The FFCC, which is located at 16200 116th Avenue Southeast in the Benson Hill/Cascade neighborhood of Renton, officially opens to the public on Monday, June 26.

Photo courtesy of the City of Renton.

Photo courtesy of the City of Renton.

Photo courtesy of the City of Renton.

Photo courtesy of the City of Renton.

Photo courtesy of the City of Renton.

Photo courtesy of the City of Renton.

Photo courtesy of the City of Renton.

Photo courtesy of the City of Renton.

Photo courtesy of the City of Renton.