FAIR OAKS, Calif. —

Fair Oaks residents gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the new Fair Oaks Performing Arts Center, a project that has been in the works for over a decade.

It follows the unveiling of the new Village Park after years of renovations.

"So excited. So excited about all the spaces, the arts we can bring," said Fair Oaks resident Dena Martinez-Verke.

The celebration marked the opening of the revamped Veterans Memorial Amphitheater, a key feature of the new park.

Mike Aho, district administrator for Fair Oaks Recreation and Parks, explained that the project really started in 2010.

The $26.9 million improvements were funded by Measure J, approved by taxpayers.

"We took a park that's been here since the 1920s and renovated it into a modern facility — while keeping

See Full Page