The new public complex spans five above-ground floors and one below-ground floor, with a total floor area of 2,240 square meters — 2.4 times larger than before. It houses a civil affairs office, a senior club, a multipurpose auditorium and a sports facility, serving as a combined administrative, welfare and cultural hub. An opening ceremony is set for Dec. 11.
The Daerim 3-dong community center in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, has moved into a new building after 45 years, with full operations set to begin Monday.
Yeongdeungpo-gu announced it has completed construction of the new Daerim 3-dong community center and will begin providing administrative services from the new building Monday.
The new building was constructed on the site of the previous center at 740-4 Daerim-dong, with one below-ground floor and five above-ground floors and a total floor area of 2,240.92 square meters — roughly 2.4 times the 917.73 square meters of the old building.
The basement level houses a parking lot, while the first and second floors contain administrative spaces including a civil affairs office, the dong chief's office and the community emergency management headquarters. The third floor features a multipurpose auditorium, the fourth floor the Yeongdeungpo Senior Club, and the fifth floor a sports facility — bringing administrative, welfare, and cultural and athletic functions under one roof.
The previous Daerim 3-dong community center was completed in 1981 and had been in use for more than 40 years, during which time it suffered from aging infrastructure, safety concerns and rising maintenance costs. The cramped space in particular made it difficult for elderly residents and people with disabilities to use the facility.
In response, the district began drawing up a master plan in 2017 to provide residents with a safer and more comfortable administrative environment. The old community center and a nearby police substation were subsequently demolished to make way for the new public complex.
The defining feature of the new building is that it was designed not merely as an administrative service space but as a community facility closely integrated into residents' daily lives. The inclusion of the Yeongdeungpo Senior Club alongside the multipurpose auditorium and sports facility was intended to meet the diverse needs of residents across generations.
The district plans to run a range of programs centered on the community center — including resident lectures and recreational sports activities — turning it into a neighborhood hub where residents can connect and enjoy their leisure time.
Meanwhile, the district will hold an opening ceremony at the new building on Dec. 11 to celebrate the fresh start with residents. The event will include a ribbon-cutting, a facility tour and a celebratory performance.
"The opening of the Daerim 3-dong community center means residents can now enjoy administrative and welfare services in a safer and more comfortable environment," a Yeongdeungpo-gu official said. "We will continue to provide high-quality services that meet the diverse needs and expectations of our residents."
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