Long before it became home to the Orlando Ballet, the building at the edge of Loch Haven Park served generations of Orlando residents as the Loch Haven Neighborhood Center, and even earlier, the Orlando Youth Center.

Dedicated in 1958, the center quickly became a gathering place for local teens, families, dances, community events, and celebrations in the years before Orlando’s explosive growth transformed the city. (Anyone remember Rock Haven dances?)

Located along Lake Formosa in what is now part of the cultural heart of Ivanhoe Village, the center reflected a growing Orlando that invested heavily in parks, recreation, and public gathering spaces. Over the decades, countless residents passed through its doors for community programs, social events, and neighborhood activities.

By the 2010s, the building had become underutilized, but its story was far from over. In 2014, the City of Orlando approved a long-term lease allowing Orlando Ballet to transform the aging neighborhood center into a permanent home for its professional company and school. That vision ultimately became Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, a modern arts facility that opened in 2019 and continues Loch Haven Park’s legacy as Orlando’s premier cultural destination.

Today, while the original neighborhood center no longer stands, its spirit lives on through a space still dedicated to bringing people together through creativity, education, and community.

You can also learn more about the Ballet’s impact in our recent feature on Orlando Ballet, May 2025 Business of the Month.

And for a look back at the site’s transformation, this archival video is a great watch.