The sweet smell of success has been wafting through the halls of the East Lansing Hannah Community Center.

The community center, 819 Abbott Road, has been experiencing a good deal of foot traffic from tours, parties and business conferences.

But soon a major piece of the center’s recreational equipment will be finished.

At the end of the month a big attraction, the center’s pool, will open. Workers began filling the four-lane, 25-yard, indoor pool last week.

A feature Councilmember Bill Sharp said he thinks will be a big attraction for people.

“I was over there today and there was maybe 80 middle school kids there and there was also a lunch for the seniors,” Sharp said.

But future fun in the pool is only part of the interest in the once public school turned community center.

Before Jan. 25, future guests heard about the opening and immediately started reserving rooms, making plans and setting dates.

Two weeks before it opened, events were being scheduled for the center.

Since then, 60 to 70 reservations for events have been scheduled, event planner Jennifer Haeusler said.

“There is a large variety of different sized spaces here,” Haeusler said. “Whether you want a small meeting for 12 or a concert for 500, this is perfect.”

Judith Bommer was more than glad to see the building open.

Bommer teaches Nia Dance, which is a dance incorporating martial arts, modern dance and jazz. The dance is easy and creative, and perfect for the center’s first floor dance room.

“It is beautiful, and it is very close to my home,” she said. “I am so happy to see (the building) revamped and used instead of demolished.”

Residents are not the only ones happy to see the center used.

City officials couldn’t be happier the $7 million renovated facility is being looked on with such high praise.

“I am pleasantly surprised by it, not that I didn’t think the center would be used but this is an excellent response,” Councilmember Vic Loomis said.

“I thought it was pretty neat to see the number of birthday parties there, that is something that I never thought of.”

City Manger Ted Staton said he knew once visitors saw the shining green tile and wrought iron railings running along the second floor, the center would become popular.

And Staton said he applauds the different uses residents have found for the center.

“It is going to take diversity of use like that to sustain it over the long haul,” he said.