* As co-chair of the BHS-BGM Alumni Association and a community advocate, I felt the Michael J. Manatt Community Center would be a perfect venue for our annual Alumni reception. The state-of-the-art facility can comfortably accommodate 300 people, an handicap accessible and has a full service kitchen thereby making it a perfect choice for a variety of community events. I feel the center is a great asset to Brooklyn and the s urrounding communities and suggest you contact the Community Center Manager for your next public or private event. Denise Ford
* The Manatt Center is very unique and beautiful. The staff was cordial and helpful-they did everything we asked them to do. They answered all my questions. The building is elegant-everyone I talked to was impressed. They just walked in and went “wow.” Julie Martin
* To the Director of the Community Center: * After searching in and around the city of Grinnell for a venue for our Son and Daughter-in-Law's wedding reception, it was clear there was only one place that could accomodate our 360 guest, but would have cost us a small fortune. Fortunately, a city clerk somewhere, gave us a tip that Brooklyn, Iowa may have a "nice place" that just might work for us.
On Feb. 2, 2010, my husband Merle H. Lang's funeral was held at your facility. My neice had made arrangements with the MJMCC, as the weather & huge amounts of snow prevented us from having it at the Madison Church of Christ (a rural church three miles north of Brooklyn). Your staff had arranged the center to accommodate the viewing in the foyer area of the building; one of the large rooms was set up as a chapel, the other with tables for our catered lunch after the service. The beautiful piano was moved into the chapel. The caterer said there were at least one hundred lunches served. Out-of-town guests had a place to park & didn't have to leave & drive to another location for the luncheon. It couldn't have been nicer & thanks to the Center, Merle's Celebration of Life, was memorable to all. Sincerely, Bonnie Lang
Well, they weren't kidding! The Michael J. Manatt Community Center in Brooklyn, is the most spacious, elegant and well-maintained facility we have ever seen. Our concerns with holding our special event outside of Grinnell were immediately alleviated the minute we took our tour of the bulding with you, Connie. That family meeting out in front following our tour was really no conference at all, we all new immediatly that this was where we had to hold the reception. It was obvious that our guests would have ample room to enjoy the evening that included social hour, dinner and dancing and enjoy it they did with plenty of room to spare!
We can't tell you how many compliments we have received from family and friends regarding the accommodations. Clearly, no detail has been ignored, from a stunning front lobby and state of the art stainless steel kitchen to the large hall and incredible restrooms (seriously, the women were really wowed by the restrooms) it is first-class all the way.
Of course, none of the physical accomodations would have mattered had you and your staff not been the absolute "Best" to work with. Connie, you, Rob and the bartenders were simply outstanding...so accommodating, professional and yet so friendly!
We completely enjoyed our experience with you folks and would gladly recommend your wonderful facility to anyone.
Kent & Lisa Walton, Earlville, Iowa, Caleb & Sara Walton, Grinnell, Iowa