Huntington Community Center sports new roof

Update, June 14: Fairfax County NCS corrected its earlier statement about the building being founded in 2004 and provided some additional historical information.

The Huntington Community Center, a small Fairfax County facility tucked away in a neighborhood in the far northern section of the Richmond Highway corridor, recently received a new roof to replace its low-slope and shingle roof system, according to a spokesperson from Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS).

The facility, which is one of the county’s smallest community centers with a maximum building capacity of 49 people, currently has around 15 kids in its after-school program, said Jared (Jay) Brown, a team leader who works at several NCS facilities. Besides doing schoolwork, the kids can participate in computer activities, do arts and crafts, engage in physical activities, take nature walks and eat at the center, which offers free and reduced-price meals to those who qualify.

A room where teens and kids in after-school programs can work and play

On June 20, the center will begin its Teens in Action Summer Camp, which provides supervised enrichment and leisure activities for teenagers in grades 7 through 12. For adults and seniors, the facility offers line dance classes and wellness and fitness activities. More details are available in the calendar of activities from June through August.

NCS team leader Jay provided a great tour of the Huntington facility.

The property where the community center is located was transferred in 1962 from the Huntington Citizens Association to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, according to NCS communications director Cristin Bratt. At that time, only a playground existed on the land. Sometime between then and 1979, a small building was constructed, and the county renovated and expanded it to its current size in 1979, she said.

The Huntington Community Center is located at 5751 Liberty Drive in Alexandria and is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Room rentals are available for special occasions.