Ruben Campos Community Center: the 'Hub of the West Side'

On Saturday, April 4, at 11 a.m., city employees, politicians, and community members came together to celebrate the grand opening of the new basketball courts at the Ruben Campos Community Center at Nunez Park in San Bernardino. Hosted by the City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, the celebration at Nunez Park included workshops, games, prizes, refreshments, live entertainment and information on activities and services offered at the Ruben Campos Community Center. The opening ceremony began with a warm welcome from Juanita Webster, Community Services Center Supervisor, who thanked the audience for their attendance. Webster, who has been involved with the project from the very beginning, explained that events and projects like this one would not be possible without the help and support of the community. “It is great to bring the community together, right here in the 1st Ward; this is how we create community,” she said. Next, the microphone was turned over to Mickey Valdivia, Director of the City of San Bernardino Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department. Valdivia expressed thanks to Project Manager Brian Turnbull, MBI contractors, and the various local workers who helped make the project happen. Valdivia said that the crews had been working diligently to finish the project by the deadline of March 30, just days before the grand opening took place. If crews had not finished the project in time, delays would have proven costly. “Mickey Valdivia was under pressure, [and] there was controversy related to this, but we got it done. He brought it home and was able to make this the successful event today. This really is a victory for Mickey and his staff to bring this together in such a short period of time,” explained Mayor Carey Davis. The project, which has been in the works for nearly 10 years, includes the construction of outdoor basketball courts and several other renovations to Nunez Park. Facility upgrades included refurbished bathrooms, ADA access across the park and parking lot, parking lot repairs, additional fencing, and repairs to the existing baseball field. The project cost an estimated $701,000 to complete. Funds were secured through the Roberti Z'Berg Harris (RZH) Urbanized Need grant through the California Parks and Recreation Department, and a City match equivalent of 50 percent of the project. Virginia Marquez, Mistress of Ceremonies and Councilwoman for the 1st Ward, explained how she grew up on the west side of San Bernardino, and learned to swim at this very community center. “This is one place where both children and adults will now enjoy many sports: soccer, baseball, swimming, as well as basketball,” she said. “We are very, very eternally grateful, because this is the hub of the west side; it is the heart of the west side.” Mayor Pro Tem and 6th Ward Councilman Rikke Johnson, who also visited the park as a child, further explained the importance of the park and community center. “This is a place where the kids can come and enjoy their day, right next to Historic Route 66. Even during these trying times in our city, we still have some sense of prosperity, some sense of moving forward,” stated Johnson. Following opening remarks, the ceremony continued with an invocation in honor of Easter, a flag salute, and the singing of the national anthem. Next, on behalf of Congressman Pete Aguilar, field representative Enrique Armenta presented a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition to the Reuben Campos Community Center in honor of the grand opening. “[The Congressman] recognizes how important it is for kids to have a place to come after school that is safe, [where] they can have fun, [and] it’s clean,” explained Armenta. “It’s a testament to the elected officials here in San Bernardino, as well as Mickey Valdivia and his office, that they recognize that importance, especially under the tight fiscal budget conditions that San Bernardino is in right now,” he said. To conclude the opening ceremony, the community children gathered with the city staff to complete the ribbon cutting ceremony, led by Councilwoman Marquez. After the ceremony, the children ran to the new basketball courts. The CSUSB men’s basketball team was present, playing with the children and providing basketball demonstrations. Other festivities included Zumba and karate demonstrations, free food and ice cream, free face painting courtesy of the Associated Student Body of Aquinas High School, and music by Mariachi Aztecas de Oro. The park is located at 1717 West 5th Street in San Bernardino, and is open from Monday through Friday from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.