Inside Deer Park’s 65,000-square-foot activity center built for events of up to 1,500 people

When Deer Park began outgrowing its activity center, the challenge wasn’t because of a lack of community interest. It was a lack of functional space. 

The former facility had two large ballrooms separated by a permanent wall, meaning the rooms could not be combined for larger events. A small gathering could also require an entire half of the building.

As Deer Park’s population, recreation programs and demand for event space grew, the city needed a facility that could do more. 

That led to the Jimmy Burke Activity Center, a 65,000-square-foot facility designed to give residents, organizations and event planners more flexibility while creating room for events hosted in Deer Park to expand.

What spaces and amenities are available? 

Whether hosting an annual general meeting, product expo or corporate gala, the center’s flexible layout adapts seamlessly to your operational needs.

The difference is noticeable in the center’s layout. The facility has three large ballrooms totaling 24,000 square feet. The Heritage Ballroom is the largest at 10,000 square feet and sits next to a full-service catering kitchen with an open serving window, making it suited for catered events.

The Battleground Ballroom and San Jacinto Ballroom each offer 7,000 square feet. Dividing walls allow the three ballrooms to be used separately or combined into one 24,000-square-foot space for larger events.

With the right setup, the facility can accommodate events for up to about 1,500 people, an increase from the former center’s capacity of roughly 800 to 900 people.

The ballrooms also offer large display screens, a drop-down screen and projector, a portable 20-by-16-foot stage, 72-inch round tables, 8-foot rectangular tables, chairs and podiums.

For smaller events, the center has three breakout rooms: the Sam Houston Room, Susanna Dickinson Room and Simeon West Room, named after historical figures. 

The Sam Houston and Susanna Dickinson rooms are each about 1,000 square feet and can be combined into a 2,000-square-foot space. The Simeon West Room, named for Deer Park’s founder, is also about 2,000 square feet. These spaces are ideal for workshops, training sessions, corporate boards or VIP green rooms.

How will the activity center bring more people to Deer Park?

The facility’s size also gives Deer Park an opportunity to attract events that previously may not have fit within the city, which include expos, conferences, and training classes.

Large conventions, banquets and other multi-day events can bring hundreds or even more than 1,000 people into the community, creating benefits across Deer Park.

“We want to be able to reach a larger demographic and make Deer Park more of a destination for some of these larger events,” Walsh said. “It’s beneficial because it brings people into the city, and they’re also going to restaurants, hotels and contributing to the local economy.”

The center partners directly with the Deer Park Tourism Division to offer event organizers discounted hotel room blocks, local dining recommendations and attendee welcome packages. Professional staff handle facility logistics, with built-in coordination for off-duty police security when serving alcohol or hosting high-attendance functions.

Larger events that require the majority of the facility, particularly multi-day conventions, can contact 832.780.0973 for information. Email [email protected] or visit the facility's website for more information about booking. Staff can also provide tours of the facility for people considering it for an event.

How do you book the Jimmy Burke Activity Center?

The center can accommodate a wide range of gatherings, from meetings or baby showers for small groups to wedding receptions, graduation parties, sports banquets, church events, retirement celebrations and large conventions.

For smaller events, renters can contact the Parks and Recreation office to check availability, select a room, complete the rental contract and work through setup details, including tables and chairs.

What Parks and Recreation programs are offered? 

While the center can host large gatherings, its role in Deer Park goes beyond rentals.

Parks and Recreation uses the facility for a variety of programs, including summer camps, art classes, theater programs and performances, senior activities and other community programming. Classes can be designed for specific age groups or open to the broader community.

The space is also used for seasonal activities, educational classes and other programs that give residents opportunities to learn new skills, stay active and connect with others.

The center’s stage has also created new opportunities for the city’s theater program, allowing performances and classes to take place in a larger space.

“We can serve more people because we have more space, which allows us to provide more programs and improve the quality of life for the residents,” Parks and Recreation Director Kenneth Walsh said.

Want to learn more?

The expanded Jimmy Burke Activity Center gives Deer Park more space for community programming while allowing the city to accommodate larger events. Whether hosting a youth summer camp, community workshop or 1,500-person convention, the facility provides flexible spaces designed for a range of community needs.

• Physical address: 500 W. 13th St., Deer Park

• Phone: 832.780.0973

• Email: [email protected]

• Official website: Jimmy Burke Activity Center Webpage

The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel, with the Community Impact Storytelling team, using information solely provided by the local business as part of its “sponsored content” purchase through our advertising team.

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