Tours, demonstrations and appearances by prominent guests will highlight grand opening celebrations today at the University-sponsored Community Learning Center (CLC).

The ceremonies today come nearly a month after the center's quiet official opening in mid-January. The open-house style activities will take place from 4 to 8 p.m.

The center, housed in the former Goodwill building at 921 N. Eddy St., represents Notre Dame's latest effort to strengthen ties between itself and the South Bend community. University officials said the CLC has already begun to address education, health care, and other community issues in the Northeast Neighborhood.

"It's been encouraging to see the community taking ownership of the center. That's the key to its success," Denny Moore, director of public relations, said Tuesday.

U.S. Rep. Tim Roemer and South Bend Mayor Steve Luecke are among the guests appearing today. University President Father Edward Malloy, northeast neighborhood activist Rev. Tim Rouse of First AME Zion Church and CLC director Jay Caponigro will also participate in grand opening events.

Malloy, Rouse and Caponigro were also on hand for the Dec. 1 press conference at which organizers announced Caponigro as the center's director.

Today officials plan to name the center in honor of a well-known neighborhood leader.

Tours of the facility are scheduled today, and a 20-computer lab highlights the center's offerings. The event will also feature demonstrations by St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, the South Bend Community School Corporation, the St. Joseph County Public Library and the Boys & Girls Club of St. Joseph County and other local organizations.

The Gigot Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, RecSports and the Notre Dame music department will present University-sponsored programs at the center. The 1st Class Steppers, a Notre Dame step dancing troupe, are also scheduled to perform.

"Bringing this center into being has been a very important and gratifying activity for the University to carry out, especially in conjuntion with northeast neighborhood residents," Moore said. "We're looking forward to this formal opening."

Notre Dame announced plans for the CLC in August. University administrators said the costs of renovating and equipping the center exceeded $500,000 and its annual operating budget will be about $300,000.

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