The idea for an SNPJ Recreation Center was conceived in the mid-1960s, and since opening in 1965 the facility has served as a central location for Society members to gather and share a day, a weekend, a week and even several months of activity and good times with fellow members. Throughout the course of its history, the Recreation Center has played host to numerous SNPJ events, including an SNPJ National Convention in the mid-1970s, and it is also the site of the annual Slovenefest, Oktoberfest and SNPJ National Days celebrations. 

During the fall and winter of 2000 and spring of 2001, SNPJ invested $1.7 million in an extensive remodeling/construction project at the Recreation Center, adding a much-needed area to house the SNPJ Slovenian Heritage Center and completely redesigning the former multi-purpose hall, transforming the former gym/hall into the new Alpine Wedding & Banquet Room. To celebrate the project's completion, SNPJ was honored to have President of the Republic of Slovenia Milan Kucan in attendance during the ribbon-cutting ceremonies in May 2001.
 
 

President of the Republic of Slovenia Milan Kucan (left) and SNPJ National President Joseph C. Evanish (right) toast the opening of the newly remodeled SNPJ Recreation Center during the ribbon-cutting ceremonies in May 2001.

 

(From left) National President Joseph C. Evanish, former President of the Republic of Slovenia Milan Kucan, SNPJ National Secretary Karen Pintar and Ken Pintar prepare for the SNPJ Recreation Center ribbon cutting.

To ensure that the Recreation Center would be allowed to develop at its own pace and remain free from outside influences, SNPJ petitioned the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to designate the area as the Borough of SNPJ. Soon after its incorporation in 1977, the borough was recognized nationally as the country's "smallest town with the longest name" -- it had a population of 13 and was officially registered as "the Borough of Slovenska Narodna Podporna Jednota" (Slovene National Benefit Society, in the native Slovenian -- thus the initials, SNPJ). 

Now in its 38th year of operation, the SNPJ Recreation Center has something to offer every member of the family. Whether you're looking for an afternoon of polka dancing, a weekend of summer fun or a week long get-away destination, be sure to contact the SNPJ Recreation Center and see what they can do for you.