Reston residents will soon have more space to take part in the wide variety of programs Reston Community Center offers.

Reston Community Center - Lake Anne will formally open its expanded and remodeled space on the historic plaza at noon on Saturday.

The center has expanded by 4,500 square feet, says Reston Community Center executive director Leila Gordon.

Among the improvements: art studio classes that are twice as large; a 3D media room; two additional pottery wheels (one of which is ADA-accessible), bringing the wheel spaces to 10; two rooms outfitted with spring floors and mirrors that will be used as dedicated fitness studios; a wellness studio; and a new heating and air conditioning system.

"The expansion is allowing us to offer more programming," says Gordon. "Many of our programs have wait lists."

RCC, whose main facility is at Hunters Woods, expanded to Lake Anne in 1999. The Jo Ann Rose Gallery at RCC's Lake Anne space is a popular spot for special events. More space means RCC can better serve the community while showing its commitment to Lake Anne, said Gordon.

"We've been very successful at Lake Anne," she said. "This can only help the village center, especially in the months when there is no [farmers] market."

While Lake Anne has received criticism lately - the county has organized a Commerical Reinvestment Plan to find the best way to operate Reston's first village center and attract new businesses there - Gordon says issues such as parking and signage have not stopped people from enrolling in programs at RCC-Lake Anne.

"People see it as a good value in a beautiful setting," she said.

RCC is hosting an open house and ribbon cutting at the remodeled space at 1609-A Washington Plaza in Reston Saturday, Sept. 10 from noon until 2 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

To see RCC's fall program guide, click here.