Plan Your John M. Brown Community Center Visit
John M. Brown Community Center, formerly called Apex Community Center, is the Town of Apex recreation hub at 53 Hunter Street, Apex, NC 27502. Visitors use it for recreation programs, two gymnasiums, scheduled basketball, volleyball and pickleball, camps, room rentals, fishing and vessel permits, and dog park passes.
Information reviewed October 30, 2026. Program schedules, court access and rental availability can change even when the building is open.
Hours & the Summer Sunday Detail
| Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM–9:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 9:00 AM–6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM–6:00 PM outside the summer Sunday closure period |
| Weather hotline | 919-249-3348 |
Building hours are not the same as Open Gym or class hours. If your trip depends on basketball, volleyball, pickleball or a registered program, confirm the activity schedule first.
Open Gym: Basketball, Volleyball & Pickleball
Open Gym is scheduled rather than all-day drop-in. The Town posts monthly calendars, and the schedule can change without notice. Participants must register, check in and receive a wristband for each visit.
| 10-visit pass | Apex resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Age 7 and under | Free | $5 |
| Age 8–17 | $5 | $20 |
| Age 18–54 | $10 | $30 |
| Age 55+ | Free | $20 |
- Youth ages 8–17 need a parent or guardian to complete the Open Gym registration form.
- Children age 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older.
- Athletic shoes are required; no food, drinks or gum are allowed in the gym.
- No dunking, rim hanging, private lessons, personal training or team practices during Open Gym.
- Bring your own basketball when possible. A photo ID or Open Gym card may be required to check out a ball.
Programs, Camps & How Registration Works
The center hosts preschool, youth, teen and adult programs, camps, senior activities, specialized recreation, youth athletics and adult athletics. Apex publishes seasonal program guides three times a year; the Town says the online guide is the most accurate version because changes can be made after printing.
Open the current program guide or PeakConnect and search by age, program type or date.
Review age range, residency pricing, dates, location, required equipment and available spaces.
Most camps and participants using an EPI-Pen may need additional medical forms.
Use PeakConnect online, register in person, or follow the Town’s mail-in registration rules.
Save the receipt and check for schedule, pickup or instructor updates before the first session.
For broader preparation tips before registering at a municipal recreation facility, see our community recreation center guide for schedules, fees and forms.
Room Rentals: Current 2026 Rates
Rental prices were updated effective July 1, 2026. The Summit, Pinnacle and Zenith rooms each seat up to 65 people banquet-style. The three large rooms are separated by movable partitions, which can support larger approved layouts when more than one room is rented.
| Space | Mon–Thu | Fri–Sun | Capacity / detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summit Room | $50/hr resident $75/hr non-resident | $68/hr resident $101/hr non-resident | 65 people; 31′ × 31′ |
| Pinnacle Room | $50/hr resident $75/hr non-resident | $68/hr resident $101/hr non-resident | 65 people; 31′ × 31′ |
| Zenith Room | $50/hr resident $75/hr non-resident | $68/hr resident $101/hr non-resident | 65 people; 31′ × 31′ |
| Catering Kitchen | $24/hr resident $36/hr non-resident | $32/hr resident $49/hr non-resident | Attached to Zenith Room |
| Arts & Crafts Room | $24/hr resident $36/hr non-resident | $32/hr resident $49/hr non-resident | 20 people |
- Setup and cleanup time must be included in the booked time.
- More than 100 attendees require Director approval and may trigger extra security or staffing requirements.
- At least one adult is required for every 10 minors.
- Alcohol is not allowed at APRCR facilities, except approved use at the Halle Cultural Arts Center.
- No decorations may be attached to walls; freestanding and tabletop decorations are permitted.
- A catering kitchen is for warming and serving; cooking inside APRCR facilities is not allowed.
If John M. Brown is unavailable, nearby municipal facilities can be compared with our Barwell Road Community Center visitor guide and Lake Lynn Park Community Center guide; their rules and fees are separate from Apex.
Fishing, Vessel & Dog Park Services
Apex residents: free. Non-residents: $10 age 12 and under, $25 age 13–54, $6 age 55+. One-day guest pass: $5. Age 16+ also needs the applicable North Carolina fishing license.
$5 per vessel for residents and $40 for non-residents. The seasonal permit is required for launching eligible vessels on Apex Community Park Lake and expires December 31 of the purchase year.
Single dog: $30 resident / $60 non-resident per year. Multiple dogs: $50 resident / $100 non-resident. Proof of rabies vaccination is required.
Important: fishing and vessel applications can be started online, but the Town says you still need to visit John M. Brown Community Center to pay and receive the physical license or permit. Dog park applications can be started online and are processed through the center.
Parking, Accessibility & Before-You-Go Checks
Town records identify a public parking lot for John M. Brown Community Center at 53 Hunter Street. A current official parking-space count was not published in the sources reviewed, so large-event visitors should confirm parking instructions with staff.
The Town states that Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources programs welcome people of all abilities and can provide reasonable modifications. Its Open Gym form asks that modification requests be submitted at least two weeks before the program start date. Call the center if you need an accessible arrival route, program modification or other accommodation.
- Confirm the exact activity, not only building hours.
- For Open Gym, check the monthly calendar on the day of your visit.
- Ask whether your address qualifies for the Apex resident rate; resident status is based on incorporated Town limits, not simply an Apex mailing address.
- Bring required forms, identification or permit documentation.
- For weather-related changes, use the Town weather hotline: 919-249-3348.
Older adults looking specifically for age-focused services can also use our senior community center planning guide; Apex also operates a separate Senior Center on the Town Hall campus.
5-Step Visitor Workflow
Decide whether you need Open Gym, a class, a camp, a permit, a dog park pass or a room rental. Building hours do not guarantee that a specific gym court or program is available.
Open the Town of Apex John M. Brown Community Center page. For gym use, open the current monthly Open Gym calendar because the schedule changes frequently.
Resident pricing generally applies only to people living within the incorporated limits of Apex. An Apex mailing address alone does not necessarily qualify for resident rates.
Bring the required registration form, proof of rabies vaccination for dog park passes, or rental information such as guest count, event type and requested room. Youth Open Gym users need a signed parent or guardian form.
Register through PeakConnect, visit the community center for permits or passes that require in-person processing, or contact the center to confirm rental availability and payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is John M. Brown Community Center?
John M. Brown Community Center is at 53 Hunter Street, Apex, NC 27502, on the Town Hall campus. The main phone number is 919-249-3402.
What are the regular John M. Brown Community Center hours?
The Town lists Monday through Friday 8 AM–9 PM, Saturday 9 AM–6 PM, and Sunday 1 PM–6 PM outside the summer Sunday closure period. The main facility page says Sundays are closed June through August, while the rental page says closed Sundays June through Labor Day, so confirm late-summer Sunday access before traveling.
Is there a fee to enter John M. Brown Community Center?
There is no single general admission fee published for simply entering the building. Specific activities, classes, Open Gym passes, permits and rentals can have separate fees.
How much is an Open Gym pass?
Open Gym passes include 10 visits. Apex resident rates are free for ages 7 and under, $5 for ages 8–17, $10 for ages 18–54 and free for ages 55+. Non-resident rates are $5, $20, $30 and $20 respectively.
What sports are available during Open Gym?
Scheduled Open Gym can include basketball, volleyball and indoor pickleball. The calendar changes frequently, so check the current monthly schedule or call 919-249-3402 before visiting.
Can children use Open Gym by themselves?
Children age 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older. Youth ages 8–17 also need a parent or guardian to complete and sign the Open Gym registration form before receiving a pass.
Can I rent a room at John M. Brown Community Center?
Yes. The center rents the Summit, Pinnacle and Zenith rooms, a catering kitchen and an Arts & Crafts Room. Rentals require a two-hour minimum, a $250 refundable deposit and full payment to hold the date.
How far ahead can I reserve a rental?
The current rental agreement says rentals can be booked up to three months in advance and must be reserved more than 48 hours before the rental date. Availability is first come, first served.
Can I get fishing, vessel or dog park permits at the center?
Yes. The center processes Town of Apex fishing and vessel permits and dog park pass applications. Fishing and vessel permits require an in-person visit to receive the physical permit, while dog park applications can begin online and are processed through the center.
Does the center provide accessibility accommodations?
The Town states that Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources programs welcome participants of all abilities and can provide reasonable modifications. The Open Gym form asks that modification requests be submitted at least two weeks before the program start date.
Official Sources for Final Actions
Use the Town of Apex pages below when you need current availability, registration, payment or permit processing:
- John M. Brown Community Center official page
- Open Gym schedules, passes and rules
- Facility rentals and current room rates
- Current seasonal program guides
- Fishing and vessel permit requirements
- Dog park pass application details
This is an independent visitor guide, not the Town of Apex. Final hours, schedules, fees, eligibility, rentals and permit decisions are controlled by the official Town sources.