Miami Lakes recently completed the largest capital project in town history -- a $2.5 million, eco-friendly community center located on the western end.

The new 6,000-square-foot center at Royal Oaks Park, 16500 NW 87th Ave., includes offices, a reception area, storage spaces, public restrooms and multipurpose rooms to be used for adult and educational classes, social and cultural activities and evening meetings.

The center, which also consists of an outdoor seating and reading area, is the finalpiece in the face-lift of Royal Oaks Park, which has four fields, two picnic shelters and a walking trail.

Before hundreds at the grand opening ceremony on Oct. 24, the Miami Lakes Town Council acknowledged all those responsible for making the center a reality -- present and pastcouncil members, town managers and employees, state leaders and school board officials.

``This is a testament to the hard work of many -- and a legacy for future generations to enjoy,'' Councilwoman Nancy Simon said.

Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi pointed to the history of the park, which about 10 years ago was simply a 17-acre swath of swampland that Miami-Dade County had mislabeled as industrial property.

Once town officials discovered the littered grounds were actually intended for park use, they didn't waste any time in acquiring the rights to develop the land into whatis known today as Royal Oaks Park.

Vice Mayor Richard Pulido, who has led town ``greening'' efforts, acknowledged thetown's commitment to accommodating the community's needs, but said he was mostly ``thrilled that we were ableto accomplish this whilebeing responsible to the environment.''

The community center is the first green certified building in the town.

Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi said: ``This is the first of many more to come.''

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