Tucked along Fletcher Bay Road, Island Center Hall remains one of Bainbridge Island’s most cherished gathering spaces. With its warm wood interior and inviting atmosphere, the Hall has long been recognized as both a functional venue and an enduring symbol of community spirit.
Island Center Hall offers 1,700 square feet of flexible space and can accommodate up to 150 guests. The historic interior features hardwood floors, wainscotted walls, traditional tall windows, and built-in bench seating along each side—details that give the building its unmistakable charm. A small corner stage provides a focal point for performances or presentations, complete with minimal stage lighting and a large pull-down projector screen at the front. A piano is available upon request.
The Hall also includes a compact kitchen equipped with an apartment-sized refrigerator, electric range, and sink. While electrical outlets are limited—one in the kitchen and one near the stage—the building offers practical amenities such as folding tables, chairs, a small “green room” behind the stage, and two ADA-accessible restrooms. Island Center Hall is available to rent when Park District classes are not in session.
A Rich Community History
For nearly 90 years, Island Center Hall has served as a hub for island life. Over the decades, it has hosted everything from dances and civic gatherings to church services, elections, and even the Bainbridge Island Fair. Despite common belief, the Hall was never a school—a misconception clarified by island historian Katy Warner.
The property was donated in 1913 by W.L. Gazzam and his wife Lulu to the Island Center Improvement Club, with the stipulation that it remain a community meeting place. Volunteers soon built the structure with donated materials and labor. In 1971, the Hall was entrusted to the Bainbridge Island Park District to ensure its preservation.
Today, Island Center Hall continues to thrive as a vibrant, welcoming space for concerts, lectures, weddings, community meetings, and recreation programs—faithfully fulfilling the purpose for which it was created more than a century ago.