Apple Valley's Community Center Is Getting a Major Renovation

TLDR

Construction starts mid-May 2026; community center closed May–September
The two buildings (Community Center + Senior Center) are being merged into one: the Apple Valley Community Center
A new indoor playground called the Voyager Playground is coming, plus a senior fitness space, expanded coffee lounge, and more
Solar infrastructure is being built in — panels aren't going up yet, but the roof will be ready for them
Fully open target: around June 2027
Kelly Park ribbon cutting: Saturday, September 26, 2026

If you use the Apple Valley Community Center or the Senior Center at Hayes Park — or if you just drive by Hayes Road regularly — things are about to look very different starting this spring.

At the March 5 Parks & Rec Advisory Committee meeting, Parks Director Eric Carlson gave a detailed walkthrough of the renovation project. It's part of the 2023 Parks Referendum that Apple Valley voters approved in November of that year. Here's the full picture.

When Does Construction Start — And What Gets Closed?

Construction kicks off around mid-May 2026.

The community center will be closed from May through September while that portion of the building is under construction. Parks & Rec staff will temporarily relocate to the senior center side during that stretch. Then the construction moves to the senior center, and staff shifts again.

The project is expected to wrap up — with full occupancy — around June 2027. There will be some disruption during the process, but the city is working to minimize it. Notably, both the Yellowstone rooms in the senior center need to be available for the August 11 primary election and the November general election, and the contractor knows to plan around those dates.

What's Actually Getting Built

The two buildings — the Community Center (opened 1989) and the Senior & Event Center (opened 2009) — are being connected and renovated into one facility. The whole thing will be called the Apple Valley Community Center going forward. No more "Senior Center" branding. All the rooms inside will be named after National Parks.

Here's what's new:

Centralized front entrance — A single entrance connecting both buildings, with a heated sidewalk out front (big deal in Minnesota winters, especially for seniors).

Voyager Playground — An indoor playground named after Voyagers National Park — the only national park in Minnesota. It'll have two rentable party rooms attached (think birthday parties). The walls will be decorated by a local artist to evoke the Voyagers environment. There's a fee to use the playground.

Senior fitness space — Located in what's currently the coffee lounge, with windows for natural light and a wall for privacy.

Expanded senior coffee lounge — About 1,100 square feet, with large windows overlooking the patio. Used by seniors Monday–Friday during the day, and rentable for private events (baby showers, small parties) in the evenings and on weekends.

Parks & Rec offices + public meeting room — A lockable meeting room that outside groups can reserve.

Valley Athletic Association storage — The VAA's existing building was removed as part of this project. They're getting a replacement: a ~1,900 sq ft community room just off the main gymnasiums.

ADA + senior parking — Additional ADA spots and senior-designated daytime parking (evenings and weekends, those spots open to everyone).

What About Solar?

It came up in the meeting, and the answer is nuanced.

Solar panels are NOT being installed as part of this project. The budget doesn't support it right now. BUT — the roof over the indoor playground is being built to handle solar, with all the conduit, raceways, and electrical room infrastructure in place. When the money is there, adding solar will be straightforward.

The senior center's existing roof is in good enough shape that it's not being touched in this project.

What About Access for Everyone?

One committee member raised a direct question: if the indoor playground charges a fee, will lower-income families have access?

The city's response: the Parks & Rec scholarship fund exists for situations like this. They're still working out the specific parameters. Carlson noted that the playground fees are how the city helps cover operating costs for the whole facility — but the intent is not to make it accessible only to families with more money.

The Bottom Line

This is the biggest parks investment Apple Valley has made in decades, and it's real — shovels go in the ground in about two months. If you rely on the community center for fitness classes, rentals, or senior programming, plan ahead for the May–September closure.

And mark your calendar: Kelly Park's ribbon cutting is September 26, which'll be the first big community celebration tied to these referendum projects.

For full project details from the city, check the Apple Valley Parks Projects page. Background on the referendum itself is at applevalleymn.gov/864/Parks-Referendum. And catch up on other Apple Valley news at South Metro Scoop.

FAQ

Can I still use the senior center during construction?

Yes — the senior center stays open while the community center side is under construction. Then there's a shorter closure period for the senior center portion later in the project.

Will the Yellowstone rooms be available for the 2026 elections?

Yes. The city has specifically built the election dates into the construction plan. The same two Yellowstone rooms will be used for both the August primary and the November general election.

Why is it being called the Apple Valley Community Center instead of keeping both names?

The vision is one unified facility, not two separate buildings. The senior-specific programming continues — it's just all under one roof and one name. Individual rooms inside will be named after National Parks.

What's the Voyager Playground going to look like?

Think colorful indoor climbing structures, party rooms attached, walls decorated to feel like you're out in the Voyagers wilderness. The city is aiming to work with a local artist on the wall murals — similar to what Woodbury did with a St. Croix River theme.

Will there be any outdoor changes too?

Yes — parking is being expanded, ADA spots added, and the overall campus look is being updated with new facade work to create a more unified feel as you drive in off Hayes Road.