COEUR d’ALENE — The sun was shining, barbecue smoke lifted on the wind and friends enjoyed live music, a line dancing demonstration and simply being together again.

The "community" was returned to the community hub as Lake City Center hosted a grand reopening and open house Tuesday.

"We've really been busy," administrative director Marlys Silva said.

At least 60 people had stopped by within a couple hours to grab a bite, win door prizes, admire remodel work done in the past year and learn about everything the center has to offer.

"We did a lot of work to the center, and it just feels like it's becoming alive again, having people back in here and just being able to visit and meet new people," Silva said. "A lot of people have walked through trying to figure out what we do, so we've handed our activities list to people."

Lunch was cooked by Coeur d'Alene Lions Club members, who grilled burgers and dogs in front of the center.

"I heard about the open house, but also, I want to support the senior center. I come here often for the lunch," Aletha Sicurello of Coeur d'Alene said. "Everybody's always so nice and friendly and accommodating. Plus I wanted to see if anything was new."

Musician Rick Founds of Coeur d'Alene performed for about two hours. He said it was "exciting to see community happening again."

"Just people getting together, enjoying themselves and enjoying each other's company and food and music and family and fun," he said. "Those are kind of what makes life what it is. It makes it good, right? Without those things it's easy to get a little lost, depressed and sad. It's nice to see this coming back. They've done a tremendous job here."

Silva said Lake City Center has always been "Coeur d'Alene's best kept secret."

"I'm working really hard at making it explode," she said.

The center offers lunch four days a week as well as facilitates Meals on Wheels, a volunteer program that delivers meals to homebound seniors.

Lake City Center has billiards, cribbage, art classes, tai chi, line dancing, fitness classes and more. It's now offering later activities, including bingo, and will soon be offering evening yoga, Silva said.

"We're going to open this place up, just get it going," Silva said.

Info: 208-667-4628