New 'Cox Tech Center' Opens at Spring Valley Community Center

A new computer lab and lounge opened to fanfare Wednesday at the r, at an open house hosted by the Cox Communications.

Dubbed the "Cox Tech Center," the lab features eight brand new computers, a flat-screen TV and Blu-ray player, and comfortable lounge furniture. It is meant to be a place where people in Spring Valley can come and have internet access, if it is unavailable to them in their homes.

The County spent $1.9 million to remodel the community center in 2010, and the tech center is part of that renovation. Cox Communications, meanwhile, in its partnership with the County, donated the modems, and will provide free wireless Internet access and cable service for the center’s visitors.

“This is a shining example of how private business and government can team up to really help people,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob, whose supervisorial district includes Spring Valley. “This lab will change the lives of people young and old as they learn new skills and enjoy themselves in the process.”

Representatives from Cox and from the County see the Tech Center as a place to help people both kids and seniors become more understanding of technology and the digital age.

"We see the tech center as a place to bridge the digital divide that exists with some people, especially kids and seniors," said Sylvia Dunbar, Government and Community Affairs representative for Cox Communications. "This is one of 27 tech centers that we have in San Diego, but the first in the unincorporated county."

The Spring Valley Community Center will be offering classes designed for both kids and seniors that will assist in them learning how to navigate the internet. There will also be classes to help kids with their homework, and to learn how to use different software programs like Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point.

Dunbar said that the free internet access will include specific firewalls and content blocks that prevent users from accessing certain inappropriate websites.

The Spring Valley Community Center provides a multitude of programs and services for residents, including recreation activities, senior programs, summer camp and the preschool classes.

For additional information about the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation and its community centers, visit the department’s website.