Visitors to the newly restored Goodman Community Center at its grand opening today will see several new programs and activities spanning the interests of all ages, from preschoolers to seniors.

The center's staff members have been running programs in the building at 149 Waubesa St. on Madison's East Side since Sept. 2 after a renovation allowed them to combine activities that had been housed at three buildings that have been collectively called the Atwood Center, said Becky Steinhoff, executive director of the center.

The center has existed for more than 50 years, and the new facility is expected to be used by 26,000 community members, which Steinhoff says is double the current usage.

A teen employment training program will be operated out of a cafe in the center that is scheduled to open by the mid-October. The chef, Ben Hunter, is a partner in the Underground Food Collective catering company and has been teaching students from Madison East High School about cooking and customer service skills.

The teens, who will eventually become cafe employees, also will learn about nutrition and meet with local farmers. That will help them see the relationship between what they eat and where their food comes from, Steinhoff said.

The center will provide additional opportunities for teens who want to do custodial work, staff the front desk, tutor younger children or assist senior citizens for school credit. Steinhoff said an academic achievement program will work to keep teens in school by bringing in teachers from East High.

A fitness center will be open Oct. 1 and a gym will open later in October for volleyball and basketball classes and games. Registration for dance and art classes taught by Madison School and Community Recreation staff will be later in October as well.

Steinhoff said the center hopes to become a Dane County nutrition site in 2009 and provide meals and recreation for older adults, giving them opportunities on weekdays as well as weekends.

The plan could be finalized by November in the county executive's budget, Steinhoff said.

The $12 million renovation project required a "perfect storm" of banks coming together and using tax credit programs to generate money, said U.S. Bank spokeswoman Lisa Clark.

The grand opening, which will run from noon to 4 p.m., will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and continue with activities such as hip-hop dance, double dutch, bingo, tai chi, a basketball shoot-out, a scavenger hunt, face painting and more.

Musicians will perform, including Kenland with Kenn Lonquist, Lynette and Somoe Chairs, Reptile Palace Orchestra, Pagee Go Go, Yid Vicious and Dear August. There will also be a performance by Madison's Cycropia Aerial Dance troupe and refreshments will be served.