A New Community Hub for Mount Dora

Borrelli + Partners was proud to celebrate the opening of the Nathaniel Bell Community Resource and Recreation Center in Mount Dora, Florida! Long awaited by the community, the ceremony drew a large turnout of residents, community leaders, project partners, and local stakeholders. The new 31,100-square-foot community hub is designed to bring recreation, programming, and essential resources together under one roof. Located at 1010 Lincoln Avenue, the new facility represents a transformative investment in Mount Dora and the surrounding community. The Bell Center provides a welcoming destination where people of all ages can gather, learn, play, and connect.

Developed for the City of Mount Dora, the one-story facility was envisioned as more than a traditional recreation center. The Bell Center responds to the community’s need for expanded resources and opportunities, offering youth and teen programs, before- and after-school programs, seasonal camps, athletics and recreation, health and wellness activities, technology access, and a variety of community-based programs and services. Membership is free, and the City welcomes individuals who live outside of Mount Dora to participate as well.

The Center is named in honor of Nathaniel Bell, a beloved teacher and mentor who dedicated 38 years to educating and inspiring generations of students. The Center carries forward a legacy deeply rooted in service to the Mount Dora community. His impact extended well beyond the classroom through his service on City Council, where he helped advance recreational spaces that continue to serve residents today, as well as efforts supporting housing opportunities for local families. His children, Nathaniel Jr. and Tasha Lee, welcomed the public to the Center and unveiled a placard highlighting Bell's life story and contributions.

Designed with input from the Mount Dora community, the center includes a welcoming public lobby with reception, a child watch room with an ADA-compliant family restroom, six flex-space offices, a computer and technology laboratory, a commercial/teaching kitchen complete with storage and a walk-in cooler/freezer, and a full-sized gymnasium with locker rooms. Flexible gathering spaces include a community conference room and three banquet halls that open into one continuous meeting space for large events and celebrations. A grand courtyard provides additional opportunities for outdoor programming, gathering, and community events.

The architectural character of the Nathaniel Bell Community Resource and Recreation Center draws inspiration from geometric patterns rooted in nature and African art. These influences shape the building’s exterior façade and continue throughout the interior, where earth-toned materials and finishes are carefully coordinated with the City and community stakeholders to create a welcoming and culturally meaningful environment.

Borrelli Team (left to right) - Mohit Chaudhary, Sonny Fornoles, Jorge A. Borrelli, Gaddiel Torres-Pagán, Laura Zawadzki

Designed to foster inclusion, enrichment, and community pride, the Nathaniel Bell Community Resource and Recreation Center stands as a lasting investment in Mount Dora’s future. The Bell Center provides a vibrant destination where residents can gather, learn, play, and access resources for generations to come. We are grateful to the City of Mount Dora and the entire project team for the opportunity to help bring this meaningful community resource to life!