Mayor Dana Ralph announced the grand reopening of the Kent Commons community center after Phase 1 renovations and highlighted a slate of community events this weekend, including a youth track junior Olympics, a children's fishing program, a citywide clean‑up and several family safety activities.

The reopening included a new entry area and upgrades to the weight room and locker rooms; the mayor said the building is 47 years old and that Phase 1 of the renovation is complete. She said the city will seek resources to complete work on the other side of the building and praised Kent Commons staff for keeping the building open while construction continued.

"If you have not been down to the Kent Commons lately, definitely go on and check it out," Mayor Dana Ralph said.

The mayor described the Kent Parks youth track junior Olympics at French Field, saying 26 Kent School District elementary schools competed in events including the softball throw, running long jump, the 75‑yard dash, a 4x75‑yard relay and the 600‑yard dash. She thanked volunteers and noted the event as a partnership between Kent Parks and the Kent School District.

Looking ahead to weekend activities, the mayor highlighted a children’s fishing experience at the Old Fishing Hole, put on in partnership with Kent Parks and Kent Rotary; a citywide "Team Up to Clean Up" volunteer event Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon (information at kentwa.gov/talkingtrash); a teddy bear clinic run by the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority (the mayor said the first 400 children will receive a teddy bear); and a Kent Bicycle Rodeo at 10 a.m. organized by the Kent Bicycle Advisory Board in partnership with the police department. The mayor said helmets and obstacle courses will be available and joked that she planned to try the course herself.

She also noted several scheduled community gatherings at the Showare Center: the 2025 Regional Business Expo and Flavors of South King County organized by the Kent Chamber of Commerce (the mayor said it will be at the Showare Center and referenced a Tuesday afternoon time), and a Green River College town hall at the Kent campus with Dr. Suzanne Johnson, president of Green River College, on Thursday evening. The mayor described an annual International Festival at the Showare Center that showcases many cultures and student projects; the mayor called it a free, family event and encouraged attendance.

The mayor closed by saying she looks forward to seeing residents at events across the city.