Venues

The Arcata Community Center is a spacious facility that offers the community a central location to hold large or small events. The 8,800 square foot multipurpose room is perfect for any event, from large concerts to small private wedding receptions. The facility offers a number of rooms available for use with many options to choose from. 

Easily located off Highway 101, it makes driving to any event simple. The Community Center is located at 321 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, adjacent to the Sports Complex and HealthSPORT.

Reservation Procedure

Reservation inquiries may be made by calling the Arcata Recreation Division Office at 707-822-7091. Users must submit a completed Arcata Community Center Use Permit (PDF) a minimum of 30 days prior to proposed use. To secure your reservation, you must pay the facility use deposit. Insurance is required for all building rentals.

Dance Permits

Dance Permits are required for amplified music. See the Police Department's resource on the matter and contact the Police Department for further information.

Deposits & Rental Fees

A $500 deposit is required for building rentals. A $1,600 deposit is required for concert rentals. Deposits are due at the time of reservation. Your deposit will be refunded provided there are not damages to the facility and the facility is clean. Rental fees are due 30 days prior to event. All-day rate applies to hours between 8 a.m. and 1 a.m., including cleanup. Requests for extended hours are subject to City approval and additional costs. Changes made to Facility Use Permit less than 30 days prior to event are subject to City approval and may require additional charge. Any changes must be made in writing.

Cancellations

Reservations may be cancelled up to 30 days prior to use with a full refund minus a $25 cancellation fee. Such requests must be submitted in writing or the event cancellation notice must be signed and returned to the City's Recreation office for the event to be recognized as officially cancelled. If a user wishes to cancel an event less than 30 days prior to use, any refund will be less half the deposit or the full rental fee of hte space, whichever is less.

Discounts

Non-profit agencies receive a 20% discount. Non-profit agencies must supply their federal tax-exempt identification number. 100% of proceeds from event must be used to benefit the non-profit agency renting the facility. School districts within Arcata must have joint use agreements on file with the City in order to receive any rate discount. Discounts do not apply to the Content Rate or actual labor costs for event preparation.

Commercial or Non-Commercial?

Commercial events are businesses actively conducting their business within the public facility. Examples: sales meetings and business training. Those events must be charged a non-subsidized commercial rate.

Staff 

The Recreation Division will provide top notch staff for the entire event to assist you with set-up/take down of city-owned equipment. Example: tables, chairs, stage and audio/visual equipment.

Zero Waste Action Plan

The City of Arcata has adopted a Zero Waste Action Plan to help reduce waste generated in the City as much as possible. The City is asking Arcata Community Center and D Street Neighborhood Center renters to consider using the City-provided dishware and/or use rental dishes and linens. Should you choose to use the City’s dishware, we will provide you with the information needed to properly clean and put away the dishes for the next user. The City can also provide you with contact information on reusable dish and linen rental businesses. The City has banned the use of Styrofoam dishware citywide and single use water bottles inside city facilities. If you choose to use throwaway dishware it cannot be Styrofoam. City facilities have sinks, drinking fountains and/or water filling stations as well as reusable pitchers and glassware. Thank you for helping us prevent waste in Arcata.