The Rosen JCC announces the Grand Opening on Feb. 27, 2016 of their expanded facilities, featuring the new Rosen Event Center, new classrooms, a Parenting Center, STEM lab, catering kitchen and retrofit to the existing youth space.

The entire center-now 55,000 sq feet-is open to the public, and aspires to bring people of all faiths and backgrounds together from the Orlando community. The Rosen JCC offers space for various celebrations and events-including weddings, birthdays, bar and bat mitzvahs and Quinceañeras-in its banquet hall that seats up to 300 or can serve as a 500-seat theater/auditorium.

In addition, the new expansion provides opportunities for learning and promotes healthy living and exercise with a new teen center, an active gaming room, cycling studio and a physical therapy space through a retrofit to its existing youth wing.

"We are thrilled to announce our grand opening of the expansion project," commented Bonnie Rayman, executive director of the Rosen JCC. "We are grateful to the Harris Rosen Foundation for their generosity and support of this wonderful addition to our facility."

Bob Heilman of Heilman Architecture designed the new facilities and Focal Point Construction managed the project. The expansion began in the spring of 2015, and the centerpiece of the Rosen Event Center lobby is the installation of Jerusalem stone from Israel, one of the most beautiful and meaningful building materials in the world. Other features of the renovation include two private soundproof music rooms for voice, acting and instrument lessons, a Green Room, a dedicated childcare room called Kid Zone for JCC members using the fitness facilities, and three large youth classrooms for the after-school program J University.

The Early Childhood Learning Center renovation includes a STEM Lab, resource library and parenting center, two new classrooms, and dedicated space for administrative staff. The Rosen JCC is collaborating with the Orlando Science Center on the building of their new STEM lab. On January 8, the JCC celebrated the Grand Opening of the new Parenting Center, which offers Family Yoga, Strollercise, Prenatal Yoga and Wee Play Together.

The Rosen JCC opened in Southwest Orlando in 2009 as a premier community center open to all, and offers programs including an award-winning, nationally-accredited Early Childhood Learning Center, J University Afterschool Program, summer camp, fitness center, group exercise classes, gymnasium, sports leagues for youth and adults, senior and adult programs and cultural arts.

The Rosen JCC will have a grand opening celebration with two events the weekend of Feb. 27 and 28. On Saturday, Feb. 27, the "Opening Night" gala will feature a spectacular show provided by Theatre South, including performances by Broadway stars. Sunday, Feb. 28, will feature a family matinee interactive show by Theatre South called "Broadway in your Backyard." Tickets for both events are available for purchase at Rosenjcc.org/gala.

For more information on the grand opening of the Rosen Event Center, the Opening Night Gala or the Rosen JCC, contact Bonnie Rayman, executive director at 407-387-5330 or bonnier@rosenjcc.org.