Politics & Government

Dormont Recreational Center Renamed 'Park Place'

The borough hopes the new name will help attract more bookings.

By Hilary Brown Purcell

Many of us had great memories of community events, birthday parties and more in the Dormont Recreational Center.

Having grown up in Dormont, I too have had great times there. I recently moved back to Dormont with my husband and was able to see the space again as an adult. My great-grandfather built the building in the 1920’s so I always had a special connection to it, but it wasn’t until seeing it as an adult that I realized how charming it was. 

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When my husband and I were looking for a place to hold our wedding reception, we thought about all the typical locations around Pittsburgh. However, we kept hitting road blocks. Some were too small, others were the perfect size, but they forced you to choose from a small list of caterers. Most did not have ample parking or a catering kitchen with a refrigerator and stove and almost all of these spaces were out of our price range!

We wanted to be able to have a beautiful reception, but also do a lot of the work ourselves including bringing our own alcohol and food and hiring our own servers and caterers. We were also looking for some extra time in the space to set up our own decorations. Finally, we looked right under our nose—the Dormont Recreational Center!

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There were a few aspects of the space that made us a little hesitant. We wanted to have a semi-formal cocktail party. Although the space was beautiful, the glass block made the room look more casual. We also weren’t wild about being able to see into the kitchen. And then there was the name. It is hard to invite people to a semi-formal event and write “Dormont Recreational Center” on the invite. The name did not fit the type of event we were hoping to throw.

After talking with Gregor Saulsbery, the borough's recreation director, I realized none of these issues were too hard to overcome. We had custom curtains made for the windows and the borough provided a curtain for the kitchen opening.

Finally, we worked with the Borough to re-brand the space. Park Place, the new name, was chosen because it describes the location and allows people to see it as more than a “rec room.”

Through the process of re-branding, we wanted to make sure that the space could still be the great community meeting room that it had always been. The new branding simply changed the name so people could see the space as more than a casual community meeting room. The base rate is still the same, but now there are option add-ons that make the space perfect for every occasion.  

Park Place has a built-in sound system, a projector and screen available for rent and now custom curtains for the windows and the kitchen. Also, for a fee, you can have your space set up the way that you like, torn down and the garbage disposed of.

Many people outside Dormont have no idea that this space exists. The borough is working towards increasing revenue from this space by marketing it.

What this space offers: handicap accessibility, a central location, tables, chairs, sound system, projector, screen and custom-made curtains and space is what people looking to hold engagement parties, showers, anniversary celebrations, kid’s birthday parties and business events are searching for.

You can help spread the word by suggesting Park Place for your friend or family’s next baby shower, anniversary party, wedding reception or kid’s party. You can also recommend the space to your place of employment for the next staff retreat, annual meeting or holiday event. Check its Facebook page to learn more about the new rental packages.

While you're there, feel free to post testimonials, pictures you have of the space, and ask your friends to “like” the space on Facebook.  

To book the space, call Gregor at 412-561-8900.


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