Its community engagement programs, however, are what truly set it apart, offering residents opportunities to connect, support local businesses and have fun.
“We’ve seen the Colleyville Center evolve from an event venue to a place where people discover new opportunities, celebrate milestones and strengthen community bonds,” said Chelsea Rose, director of community engagement and economic development. “Our programs bring people together while spotlighting the local businesses that make Colleyville special.”
Community engagement programs
One standout program, business bingo, encourages local shopping by offering bingo cards with categories such as restaurants, groceries, pets and health services.
“In November and December, we had 472 participants, with 70% returning their bingo cards for gift cards,” Rose said. “This gave a lot of people the chance to discover new businesses they might not have otherwise heard of or thought to visit.”
Another fun initiative, the scavenger hunt, adds an adventurous twist by guiding participants to various spots around the city. Residents enjoy the challenge of uncovering hidden gems while winning gift cards to local businesses.
During the slower months for restaurants, the City offers a unique gift card program where residents can come in to receive gift cards to local restaurants, providing a boost to these businesses.
The center team also created a restaurant roadmap that guides residents to local eateries. Available both in print and digitally, the map encourages residents to support Colleyville’s dining scene while exploring new favorites.
Supporting local businesses
The Colleyville Center’s programs play a vital role in strengthening the local economy. With Colleyville spanning over 13 square miles and home to diverse businesses, supporting local enterprises is key. By encouraging residents to shop locally, the center helps ensure that dollars spent within the community stay in the community, creating a ripple effect that supports jobs, fosters entrepreneurship and builds a stronger local economy.
One recent success story from this initiative is The Cookie Bar, a new local business that saw an increase in customers after being included in business bingo.
“It was exciting to see many first-time visitors of The Cookie Bar become repeat customers after the promotion,” Rose said. “It wasn’t just about bingo—it was about helping residents discover new favorites and giving local businesses more visibility.”
Feedback and continued innovation
A key to the success of these programs is the constant feedback loop the Colleyville Center maintains with the community. From collecting input during gift card pickups to hosting monthly economic development forums, the center actively listens to residents and tailors future programs based on their suggestions. Kristi Isbell, ales and hospitality coordinator, leads the effort in collecting feedback to make each new program better.
For example, after receiving feedback about gift card sign-out procedures, the team introduced a more streamlined ID-check process to ensure smoother operations.
Ongoing initiatives
From Feb. 3 to March 7, the Restaurant Gift Card Program will be available, allowing residents to visit the Colleyville Center, public library or recreation center to receive gift cards to local eateries.
Based on feedback from non-residents that rent the facility, the center noticed that they tend to use vendors that they are familiar with close to their home. In an effort to bring Colleyville businesses front and center, they contact local businesses with services to offer events and give them an opportunity to provide an offer or upgrade to event clients and provide each client with a full-color promo packet with these Colleyville business offers.
To participate, residents must show their ID and sign for their gift card. Only one gift card is available per household, and the program is open exclusively to Colleyville residents.
Some of the ways residents can support the Colleyville Center include:
- Join the Colleyville Center Advisory Committee (openings available in March)
- Rent the center for your next event or celebration (Colleyville residents receive 20% off)
- Attend one of the community group events hosted at the Colleyville Center
- Participate in the community engagement programs offered throughout the year
- Sign Up for the Colleyville eNews to stay informed about new programs
To learn more about the Colleyville Center’s programs and community groups, or to rent the space for an event, visit the Colleyville Center website.
To stay up to date on upcoming events and news, follow the Colleyville Center on Facebook for the latest updates on current programs and activities.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
