Rice Community Center was built in 1971 with funding from Housing and Urban Development and a Neighborhood Facility Grant from which the community helped to solicit funds to build the facility. Other funding came through City Park Land Acquisition Funds. In a collaborative effort with the Rice Elementary School, Rice opened to the public offering a variety of youth and adult programs and activities for the community until 1973.

In 1974 the building was converted into a Fine Arts Center offering classes in pottery, silversmith, drawing, and other multimedia art programs until 1978. From 1979 to 1987 Rice Community Center was used as a storage site for the City of Topeka departments.

Two organizations Justica (a Hispanic dance troop) and the Police Athletic League were granted permission to use the facility for upkeep and utilities in 1988. These two entities brought in a variety of dance, sports, and educational activities for youth and adults until 1996. In 2000 the facility was renovated to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. In 2001, Rice Community Center was reopened to the public and staffed with part-time city employees.

Parks and Recreation of Topeka assumed total operations of the facility in 2002 and continues to partner with the NIA. Rice has a staff roster of one facility director and one assistant director. The center is also staffed with 3-5 part-time employees. Rice Community Center offers a wide variety of programs for all ages and serves a meeting hall for the East End NIA, Helping Hands Humane Society, and other groups.

432 SE Norwood St
Topeka, KS 66607-2218 
              (785) 368-4363