Hundreds of people, mostly city residents, skipped some or all of the big Los Banos/Dos Palos football game last Friday for the grand opening of the Los Banos Community Center.</p><p>The facility includes a multi-purpose gymnasium with bleachers and a middle school-sized basketball court, a barbecue patio, a grand room with a stage, dinner seating for more than 470 people, a kitchen with eight ovens, a game room, a quiet room, a senior lounge, an arts and crafts room, a fitness studio and administrative offices.</p><p>"This will be the place that Los Banos will share memories together that will last for decades," said Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani. She was joined by current and former city politicians, city staffers and other local residents. "I've been in government a while now and it's not that often that you get to be part of something that's so important to a community like this."</p><p>Los Banos Mayor Tommy Jones got the ceremony rolling, welcoming those in attendance and recognizing those who worked to bring the community center project to fruition.</p><p>"As we moved forward with this vision, there was some difficult times and there was some difficult moments and there were times when it divided our community," Jones said. "I want to acknowledge the many members of the former council and the mayor that actually began to dream of this vision -- that one day this vision would come true."</p><p>Councilman Joe Sousa was conciliatory to those who had previously opposed the project. </p><p>"It really makes no difference if you were for this or against this project," he said. "Here we are. It's built. It's an asset for our community. I'm grateful for everyone who supported this and if you didn't, you're part of this vision as well. It doesn't matter anymore."</p><p>Councilmember Elizabeth Stone gave special recognition to Redevelopment Agency Director Elaine Post.</p><p>"She deserves a big hug from everyone in this room," Stone said. "This community center would not look the way it does without her. The architect's plans are beautiful, the construction went wonderfully, but every little beautiful detail you see in this community center, that's all Elaine."</p><p>Guest speaker Joe Cox, who was on the citizens committee that planned the center, told the audience about what it was like to be on the panel.</p><p>"We had some really great arguments and almost fights sometimes," he said. "Each one of us had really a strong opinions. We talked about the basketball for the students. We talked about game rooms we talked about this room for seniors and so forth, but we always came back to the theme -- this is a community center for everybody in Los Banos and it's gonna include everyone."</p><p>"I think this is just money well spent," Los Banos resident Chris Barreras said. "The center looks great. I think it's a great big plus for the community."</p><p>Awards and certificates were presented prior to the ceremonial ribbon cutting.</p><p>Memorial Hospital Los Banos' Richard Liszewski accepted an award from Post for a "generous donation" that the local hospital made toward the center.</p><p>"I think this is proof positive, if you will, that the hospital is here not only to serve your health needs but to be a vibrant part of your vibrant community. We're proud to do this," Liszewski said.</p><p>Political representatives also gave awards to the city from state Sen. Jeff Denham's office and Rep. Dennis Cardoza's office. Galgiani presented her certificate in person.</p><p>The night was capped off by music from Santa Fe Grade and performances by the Folklorica Dancers.</p><p>"It went much better than I expected," Post said. "You have nightmares that you build it and nobody comes. To see standing room only inside the grand room and you look out the windows and we had maybe 100-200 people outside ... I just cried."</p><p>Sousa commented on the facility.</p><p>"I expected this vision to come true, but I didn't expect it to be this nice, and it turned out way beyond my expectations," Sousa said.</p><p>Stone also noted, "It's not just for a certain group of people. It's not just for a couple clubs or a certain age group. This is for everyone."