For the first time in more than a year, Clintonville residents freely wandered the halls of the Whetstone Community Center.

Musicians performed in the gym, and children tumbled on mats in the new multipurpose room, while patrons placed bids on silent auction items for the Clintonville Arts + Music Festival in the center's lobby.

Hundreds turned out for the rededication of the Whetstone Community Center Sept. 6, as the doors to the center were opened following a $5.6-million renovation project.

City leaders hailed the project as an example of what community members can do when they band together and work with the city on a project.

"The Clintonville community didn't just come to us and say, 'This is what we want,'" said Alan McKnight, director of the Department of Recreation and Parks. "They said, 'How can we help?'"

The yearlong renovations updated the mechanical systems at the center, redesigned the upstairs classrooms and art studios, reconfigured the front lobby and added air conditioning to the more than 50-year-old building.

A wing also was added on to the center, with a 1,360-square-foot community room, a 3,280-square-foot multipurpose room, new restrooms, a full-service elevator and additional storage.

Betsy Hubbard, a Clintonville resident who worked with the city to bring about the large-scale renovation of the community center, said she was thrilled with the results of the community-driven effort.

"There were times I thought this day would never get here," Hubbard said.

She said the renovated center came about through the hard work of Clintonville Incorporated, the Whetstone Community Recreation Council, the Clintonville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Clintonville Area Commission and the Clintonville Community Fund.

"We all came together on this project because we believe in the power of Clintonville and the power of community," Hubbard said. "It's been activities like this throughout the years that have made us a strong community."

Now that the center has reopened, Hubbard said community members will be faced with even more opportunities to work together to strengthen Clintonville's future.

Hubbard said she hopes the renovated center will send the following message to Clintonville residents: "Welcome. You belong here. What do you want to get out of this? How do you want to be involved?"

Jim Kozlek, president of the Whetstone Community Recreation Council, echoed Hubbard's plea to residents to become involved in the center.

As the center opens, Kozlek said there is a great need for volunteers, whose time, he said, is as valuable to the center as monetary donations.

"We have plenty of money to spend, but we need people to get involved," Kozlek said. "Although the bricks are set and mortar is dry, there is more to do."

Peter Krajnak, of Rogers Krajnak Architects Inc., who designed the renovations, said the way the center's design was meant to help draw community members in, by including open windows to High Street and an open interior that would encourage center visitors to interact.

"It's really inviting them in," Krajnak said. "It's the openness and the ease with which you can move through the center."

jnesbitt@thisweeknews.com