Gary J. Arthur Community Center

Howard County Recreation and Parks Rules of Conduct

1. No food or beverages in unauthorized areas; glass containers are prohibited. 
2. No smoking in buildings or on school property. 
3. No soliciting or loitering. 
4. No interference with employee or volunteer duties. 
5. No harassment or inappropriate or indecent conduct or language. 
6. No unauthorized use of illegal drugs, intoxicants or weapons. 
7. No parking in unauthorized areas or driving/parking on field areas.
8. No unauthorized alteration or installation of equipment.
9. No defacing of property.
10. No conduct that may jeopardize the safety of others.

Building Rules

1. All patrons must report to the front desk for check-in up arrival. Everyone that enters the building must pay the drop-in fee or be a center member, program participant or rental reservation attendee.
2. A photo ID is required for drop-in users and nonmembers.
3. Children ages 15 and under must always be accompanied by an adult.
4. The actions and conduct of an organized group are the responsibility of the group leader.
5. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted without a permit.
6. Participants must adhere to Department of Recreation & Parks Rules of Conduct and behave in an orderly manner.
7. Customers are encouraged to secure their belongings. The center is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
8. Locks on lockers must be removed after each use. Any locks present at the end of the day will be cut and removed.
9. Shoes and shirts must always be worn outside of the locker rooms.
10. Pets are not permitted in the facility.
11. Animals shall not be left unattended in vehicles or on park property.

Center Memberships (all ages)
The Center Membership gives you access to three community centers including Gary J. Arthur, Roger Carter, and North Laurel Community Center. These memberships provide patrons access to the gymnasium (basketball/volleyball courts), game room (billiards & table tennis, and walking track only. For access to the Fitness Room and/or Roger Carter Community Center's pool, see Fit4U or Go50+ Memberships. 

*Ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult over 18 years old at all times; exceptions made during Teen Zone.

Fit4U Memberships (3-49 yrs)
The Fit4U Membership gives you access to three community centers including Gary J. Arthur, Roger Carter, and North Laurel Community Center. These memberships provide patrons access to the fitness and aerobics/dance rooms at open (non-class) times, use of the gymnasiums during open and drop-in programs, access to the game rooms, and access to the pool at Roger Carter. There are also discounts on center activities and events. Receive 5% off of two or more Fit4U memberships of the same length purchased or renewed at the same time.

*Permitted use of pool, gymnasium and walking track. Must be accompanied by an adult over 18 years old at all times; exceptions made during Teen Zone.
**Members 13-15 years old must first complete a mandatory orientation with the fitness coordinator and must be accompanied by an adult over 18 years old at all times; exceptions made during Teen Zone.

Go50+ Memberships (50 yrs+)
The Go50+ membership packages are designed to enhance the quality of life for the 50+ adult population that lives, works and plays in Howard County. Howard County Recreation & Parks and Office on Aging have partnered together to provide packages that are designed to give individuals access to meet their health and wellness needs.  

*Access to game rooms, gymnasiums, walking tracks, and wellness programs at Gary J. Arthur and N. Laurel Community Centers and all Howard County 50+ Centers.
**Access to all 50+ Center package benefits and fitness and dance/aerobics rooms at all three community centers and 50+ centers.
***Access to all 50+ Center and Fitness package benefits and access to the pool during open swim hours.

Note: All prices subject to change.

Drop-in 16+ Basketball: Mondays, 7-9pm

Drop-in 16+ Volleyball: Wednesdays, 7-9pm

Family Fun Night (all ages): Fridays, 5:30-7pm

50+ Basketball: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 9-11am

50+ Pickleball: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12-2:30pm, $2.50/person*

*Pre-registration required by calling Glenwood 50+ Center at 410-313-5440 during operation hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm

Times are subject to change. Please call the community center’s front desk at 410-313-4840 to confirm drop-in dates, times & prices.

Click here to submit a rental request online.

Please note that prices are increasing on July 1, 2023. Listed below is a PDF with those new prices.

View our Rental Resource Guide (prices in this Resource Guide are increasing on July 1, 2023) for information regarding room reservations at the Center.

Rental FAQs

What is the security deposit?

When/how will my security deposit be refunded?
If the rental rooms are left in satisfactory condition after your event (with no damages or extended use, and all rental policies were followed), Gary J. Arthur Community Center staff will process your security deposit refund within two business days after the event, and will mail you a receipt showing the amount refunded. If you paid the security deposit by cash or check, you will receive a refund check from Howard County’s Finance Office within 2-4 weeks. If you paid the security deposit by credit card, you will receive the security deposit amount credited back onto your card within 2-3 business days.

Why would the security deposit NOT be refunded?
Your security deposit will be refunded in full, provided there are no violations of the rental policies outlined in the Gary J. Arthur Community Center Facility Rental Guide and on your Rental Agreement permit. In the past, security deposits have been forfeited or only partially refunded for extended use beyond the reservation end time, use of non-reserved rooms, and rooms being left in unacceptable condition upon completion of the event.

When is payment due?
The Gary J. Arthur Community Center must receive the security deposit up front in order to make a reservation. We will not hold any rental dates without payment of the security deposit. Then the full rental fee balance is due by 30 days prior to your event. If you make a reservation within 30 days of the event date, the security deposit and full rental fee are both due up front in order to make a reservation.

What types of payment do you accept?
The Gary J. Arthur Community Center can accept payment via credit card over the phone, or cash, check, and credit card at the front desk. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

Do you offer any discounts? Can rental fees be negotiated?
All of the rental fees are outlined in the Facility Rental Guide. Various fee structures include:

• Nonprofit organization
• Howard County resident
• Non-Howard County resident

Because fees are already discounted for nonprofit organizations and Howard County residents, other discounts are not available. Fees are consistent among equivalent Howard County Recreation & Parks facilities, and therefore cannot be negotiated.

What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations must be submitted in writing to the Rental Coordinator ([email protected]). For cancellations made more than two weeks in advance, an administrative processing fee will be assessed equal to 20% of the security deposit. Cancellations made less than two weeks in advance will forfeit the entire security deposit. Cancellations made less than one week in advance may forfeit the entire security deposit and rental fee, as determined by the Rental Coordinator. Additional notice may be required for the cancellation of larger events.

Do I get extra time before and after my event for set-up and clean-up?
You may access your rental room(s) 15 minute prior to your reservation start time. You must be fully cleaned up and all guests exited by your permit end time. If you require extra time before or after your event for set-up and clean-up, that will need to be included in your reservation at the regular hourly rental rate. Community Center staff will arrange the tables and chairs per your specifications before you arrive, and you will not need to break down the tables and chairs at the conclusion of your event (you will only be expected to leave the facility in the condition it was found).

How many tables and chairs are provided?
The Community Center has a limited number of tables and chairs to provide to renters, which is a factor in the number of rentals and programs we can accommodate on a given day. In general, and based on availability, we will provide the following for best fit in each room.

Cooksville Multi-Purpose Room (each)

• 5 round banquet tables (6’ in diameter)
• Up to 40 chairs (6-8 chairs per table)
• 3 Mity-Lite plastic rectangular tables (6’ x 2.5’) or 8’ banquet tables (8’ x 2.5’)

Patapsco Room

• 4-6 large rectangular tables (6’ x 2.5’)
• Up to 40 chairs (6-8 chairs per table)
• 2 Mity-Lite plastic skinny rectangular tables (6’ x 1.5’)

Dayton Arts Room

• 12 rectangular 8’ tables (8’ x 2.5’)  
• 48 chairs around tables
• 2 Mity-Lite plastic skinny rectangular tables (6’ x 1.5’)

West Friendship Room

• 6 large rectangular tables (8’ x 2.5’)  
• 50 chairs (approx. 8 chairs per table)
• 2 Mity-Lite plastic rectangular tables (6’ x 2.5’)

Haymeadow Room

• 6-8 square card tables (4’ x 4’)
• 12 chairs (tables pushed together) or 24 around tables
• 2 Mity-Lite plastic skinny rectangular tables (6’ x 1.5’)

What do I do on the day of the event?
When you arrive at the Community Center on the day of your event, you will need to check in at the front desk. A front desk staff member will show you to your rental room(s) and fill out a check-in sheet that you will sign, demonstrating that the facility is in acceptable condition for your event. All of your guests will need to enter through the main entrance and front desk staff will direct them to the appropriate room(s). After your event has ended and you have cleaned up, a front desk staff member will do a walk-through of the room(s) with you, and have you sign a check-out sheet.

Can I have a moon bounce, inflatables, pony rides, or other amusements?
There is additional paperwork required for amusements, which will be due to the Rental Coordinator at least two weeks in advance of the event. You will need to inform the Rental Coordinator at the time of your initial rental request that you intend to have amusements, because necessary space will need to be reserved. Inflatables and amusements are only allowed outdoors or in the gymnasium, depending on the type of amusement.

Required documentation

• Howard County, MD Dept. of Recreation & Parks Permit for Amusement Attraction or Ride Including Inflatables, completed by the renter (this will be attached to the rental permit).
• The amusement company will need to complete and file the DLLR Amusement Attraction Inspection Request Form- only if the amusements are open to the public. They will need to provide the renter with a copy, and the renter will provide the Community Center with a copy.
• The amusement company will need to provide the renter with a Certificate of Insurance showing at least $1 million general liability insurance per occurrence, and naming “Howard County, MD” as the party insured. Community Center will need to receive a copy of this certificate.

What type of Audio Visual equipment do you rent?

• GJACC Technology Rental -$40 per rental*

MP3 Audio
Includes: Multi room surround sound
Connections available: 3.5mm (audio), RCA (audio), Tape deck, CD player

MP3 Video
Includes: LCD Projector (120”), Multi room surround sound, Blu-Ray/DVD player, screen
Connections available: HDMI (audio & video), VGA (video), 3.5mm (audio), RCA (audio)

Portable Projector Cart
Includes: LCD Projector, Bose Speakers, Blu-Ray/DVD player, built in screen or portable 
Connections available: HDMI (audio & video), VGA (video only), USB (flash drive)   

Portable TV Cart
Includes: LED 46” TV, Xbox one Kinect with 2 controllers, Blu-Ray/DVD player 
Connections available: HDMI (audio & video), VGA (video only), USB (flash drive)   

Portable PA speakers
Includes: Battery powered (6 hours) PA speaker with 2 wireless microphones, CD player
Connections available: CD (non-mp3), Mono audio

*Additional charges may be applied for damage or added use

 See Rental Coordinator for details

We are a windows compatible facility; we do not provide any Apple unique cables or inputs. If you wish to use an “I” Device the only cable we provide is a 3.5mm Aux input cable. We suggest that you bring connection cables with you and highly recommend the use of HDMI cables due to their simplicity.

The Gary J. Arthur Community Center periodically offers fitness and nutrition workshops, health and wellness events, and orientations for new equipment. For more information on any of the opportunities listed below, contact Sara Schwab, the center's fitness coordinator, at 410-313-4842.

Personal Training (13 yrs+)
Each 30-minute session is customized to fit your individual needs and abilities. Private training sessions are one participant to one trainer; semi-private sessions are up to three participants to one trainer. Sessions are non-transferable. Registration for sessions is first-come, first-served. All sessions must be scheduled at the time of registration.

Private 30-minute session: $45
Private 60-minute session: $75
(4) Private 30-minute sessions: $160
(4) Group 30-minute sessions: $240
(8) Private 30-minute sessions: $299
(8) Group 30-minute sessions: $459*
*Maximum of three participants for Group sessions (must register together)

Meet The Trainer
(For Fit4U and GO50+ Fitness Members)
Do you have questions about the fitness equipment? Want to learn more details about upcoming workshops? Need some suggestions on how to achieve your personal goals? Contact Sara Schwab to sign up for the next meeting time, at 410-313-4842.

First Thursday of each month, 1-2pm
Fourth Tuesday of each month, 5-6pm

If Howard County schools delay their opening, the following will occur:

• One-hour delay, the center will open at 9:30am. 
• Two-hour delay, the center will open at 10:30am. 
• If Howard County schools are closed due to inclement weather, we will do our best to open the center at 10:30am.

If the Howard County Snow Emergency Plan is in effect, the center will be closed. Once the Snow Emergency Plan has been lifted, we will do our best to open the center as soon as possible. Visit Maryland's DOT CHART webpage to view current snow emergency declarations.

Before heading to the center, call our Information Status Line for updates on operating hours and inclement weather: 410-313-4452 (opt. 1).