A new place for young people to hang out, play sports, learn and get help with homework is now open. The Mira Mesa Epicentre represents a major milestone for the Mira Mesa community and fulfills a long‑held goal to bring new life to a vacant neighborhood asset. After years of collaboration between the City of San Diego and the County of San Diego, the former library‑turned‑teen center has been transformed into a vibrant, modern community hub designed with extensive community input.

“When we give our young people good, positive places to spend their time, we’re helping shape who they become. And they will shape what San Diego becomes,” said City Council President Pro Tem Kent Lee, who represents Mira Mesa. “That’s what the Epicentre is about, that’s what makes this project so meaningful. It’s exactly what our youth and teens asked for.”

This all comes after the San Diego City Council’s unanimous 2024 approval of a 45‑year lease allowing the County to lease and operate the facility for just $1 per year. In return, the County committed more than $10 million to fully renovate the 8,086‑square‑foot building, bring it up to code and develop robust programming for youth and families. Construction began in March 2025, guided by a shared vision to create a safe, inclusive and lively civic space.

“This partnership between the City and County has created a community asset that truly reflects our shared commitment,” said Economic Development Director Christina Bibler. “With the Epicentre now officially open, I’m thrilled to see it become a vibrant space for activity, arts and culture, all shaped by the voices of the community.”

With the grand opening held on Thursday, Sept. 10, the Epicentre now offers a wide range of programs and amenities for community members of all ages, including:

• Performing arts and music programs

• Special events and community gatherings

• Homework help and drop‑in youth activities

• Flexible study, work and creative spaces

• Basketball and pickleball courts

• Game and music rooms

• Garden and cooking programs

• Partnerships with Mira Mesa High School to support local students

As the Epicentre is now open, major upgrades are also nearing completion at Mira Mesa Community Park, where the facility is located. The project improvements include a new aquatic complex, all-wheels plaza, renovation of the existing recreation center, new children's play areas, basketball courts striped for pickleball, public art, expansion of the parking lot, upgraded security and sports lighting, landscaping, irrigation and site furnishings. The park is expected to reopen in October.

These improvements help make this a central gathering place for families, students and recreational users, creating a cohesive, modern campus for sports, arts and community connection.

Built in 1975 as the Mira Mesa Library, the building that now houses the Epicentre was used as a teen center run by nonprofit Harmonium from 1998 to 2016.

In 2021, the City and County jointly recognized the site’s potential to support broader community needs, launching extensive outreach through local community groups, engagement with Mira Mesa High School and a community survey that resulted in more than 1,000 responses. It also received unanimous support from the Mira Mesa Community Planning Group.

To learn more about the Epicentre and upcoming programming, visit the County Parks webpage.