City officials, Ada County dignitaries, and several hundred Kuna residents gathered Saturday morning for the groundbreaking ceremony of the city’s first standalone community center and public library — a $12 million project on Avalon Street that Mayor Joe Stear described as “the single most important civic investment in Kuna’s history.” The 25,000-square-foot facility will provide a permanent home for community programs, youth activities, senior services, and public library resources that have long been scattered across temporary locations or simply unavailable in one of Ada County’s fastest-growing cities.
Kuna’s population has tripled over the past 15 years, growing from approximately 7,000 residents in 2010 to over 25,000 today, yet the city has lacked a dedicated community gathering space. The new facility will fill that gap with a modern, flexible building designed to serve Kuna families for generations to come.
What the Kuna Community Center Will Include
The facility will house a branch of the Ada County Library District on its main floor, providing Kuna residents with their first full-service library within city limits. Currently, the nearest library branch is in Meridian, requiring a 20-minute drive. The library space will include a children’s reading room, teen study area, adult computing stations, a maker space with 3D printers and laser cutters, and meeting rooms available for community groups and nonprofit organizations.
The community center portion will feature a regulation-size gymnasium suitable for basketball, volleyball, and community events; a commercial kitchen for cooking classes and community meals; a dedicated senior activity room; and a multipurpose hall with a capacity of 250 for weddings, dances, meetings, and civic gatherings. An outdoor plaza will connect to the adjacent Kuna City Park trail system.
“For years, Kuna families who wanted their kids in basketball leagues or dance classes had to drive to Meridian or Boise,” said Stear during the ceremony. “Our seniors who wanted a place to gather had to meet in church basements and restaurant back rooms. This building changes all of that. It gives Kuna a heart — a place where our community comes together.”
How the Project Is Being Funded Without Raising Property Taxes
The $12 million project is funded through a combination of three sources that do not require a property tax increase for Kuna residents. The Kuna Urban Renewal District is contributing $6.5 million from tax increment financing revenue generated by commercial development along Avalon Street and Meridian Road. A federal Community Development Block Grant provides $2.8 million. The remaining $2.7 million comes from the city’s capital improvement reserves accumulated over the past five years.
The Ada County Library District will fund the library’s interior furnishings, book collection, and technology infrastructure through its existing budget, and will staff the Kuna branch with two full-time librarians and additional part-time staff. Library Director Mary DeWalt said the Kuna branch has been a planning priority for the district since 2020.
Construction Timeline and Community Programs
Construction is being performed by Boise-based Engineered Structures Inc. and is expected to take approximately 14 months, with a targeted grand opening in June 2027. The building is designed to LEED Silver energy efficiency standards and features a geothermal heating and cooling system that will significantly reduce long-term operating costs.
The Kuna Parks and Recreation Department is already planning the facility’s inaugural program schedule, which will include youth basketball and volleyball leagues, after-school homework help, senior fitness classes, a community garden club, children’s story time, and teen coding workshops. Registration for the first session of programs will open in April 2027.
What Comes Next
Residents can follow construction progress on the City of Kuna’s website at kunacity.id.gov/communitycenter. The city will hold quarterly public update meetings during the construction period. Community groups and organizations interested in reserving space in the new facility can begin submitting requests through the Parks and Recreation office at 208-922-5546 beginning January 2027.