First Community Center In Manassas City Holds Ribbon Cutting

MANASSAS, VA — City officials cut the ribbon Monday on the first community center in the City of Manassas, a goal that has been decades in the making.

The location of the community center is 8750 Sudley Road, the site of the former Marsteller School. The center has features like a multipurpose room, gymnasium, youth center room, and programming. City Council had budgeted three new part-time positions to maintain regular hours at the facility.

Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger has a personal connection to the site, as she attended what was once Marsteller School.

"I am proud and honored and frankly a little more excited about this ribbon cutting than the usual ones, simply because many of you heard the story. I actually entered these doors for sixth through eighth grade and attended here for middle school," said Davis-Younger at the ribbon cutting. "To be able to see this moment full circle, to be able to cut the ribbon on the city's very first community center, who knew back then, as an 11-year-old, 12-year-old, that I would be the mayor standing here to do that?"

Mike Feeland, part of the city's Parks & Recreation Committee, used to play basketball games at the school site on Saturdays.

"Back then, I could not imagine that this building and the fields would one day belong to us residents for our use," Feeland said. "To me, this center represents more than just brick and mortar — I see it as a place for connection, learning and joy."

In 2024, the city purchased the 20-acre site from Manassas Baptist Church for $9.9 million. Along with the community center, the city is planning a fire station, athletic fields and open space on the site. Park features like a small walking trail, baseball and softball diamonds, a multipurpose rectangular field and walking/running track are already open. City government says the fire station could come to the site within five years.

Under the agreement with the city, Manassas Baptist Church can keep certain uses on the property for three to five years as it renovates its existing church and moves its programs there.

Community center hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. It is closed Wednesdays and Sundays. Residents can follow the Community Center and Marsteller Park webpages for programming and other updates.