Elected officials, family members and City employees are among those participating at the Louis R. Jones Bayside Recreation Center Dedication Ceremony, a public event hosted by the Virginia Beach Department of Parks & Recreation from 6-7 p.m., June 6 at the recreation center, 4500 First Court Road, Gymnasium 1.

In recent months, the recreation center was renamed in honor of Louis R. Jones, known as “Mr. Bayside.” Jones was a former mayor, vice mayor and council member for the City of Virginia Beach, who dedicated 36 years of public service to the Bayside District of Virginia Beach.

Jones helped spearhead milestone projects that impacted the city during his tenure and for generations to come. He was known for his political leadership and fortitude in areas such as fiscal stewardship, infrastructure development, regional planning, economic development, education and development of the City’s convention center and recreation facilities. He died in 2022.

The ceremony will include remarks from Robert M. “Bobby” Dyer, Virginia Beach mayor, and Michael Kirschman, Parks & Recreation director. Members of the Jones family, including Ellen Jones, wife of the former mayor, will join the dedication. A reception with light refreshments will follow.