The Whaleyville Community Center has been recognized as the best new bricks-and-mortar facility in municipalities in Suffolk’s size range.

The city’s parks and recreation department received the honor during the 62^nd annual conference of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society, held in Roanoke early in November.

The expanded, remodeled and restored Whaleyville Community Center, which is located in the building that was formerly Robertson Elementary School, opened in January 2015. The facility features a computer lab, game room, group exercise room, community room and state-of-the-art fitness facility.

This statewide awards program honors individuals, departments and organizations throughout Virginia that have demonstrated excellence in any of several areas during the previous year.

The mission of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society is to unite professionals, students and interested lay persons engaged in the field of recreation, parks and other leisure services in Virginia.