Fairfax Counties in the Mount Vernon District know the local recreation center is long overdue for renovation. The ice rink in the center opened in 1979 and the water center was built in 1983. The permits for the renovation and a new fitness center were approved last November, and construction should begin in May – but now residents will have to wait a bit longer.
According to Project Manager Eric Inman, construction work for Phase I of the project could begin in July or August. COVID-19 is responsible for the delay, he said.
The project is divided into three phases. Phase I will renovate the existing building and add a 35,000 square foot building that will house a brand new fitness center, multipurpose areas, offices, and a new entrance and lobby. The $ 22 million renovation and fitness costs will be financed from the Park Bond Fund 2016.
Phase II of the project is the construction of a new ice rink, which will be built according to NHL standards with new, larger changing rooms. The rink will cost approximately $ 11.5 million and will be funded from the $ 112 million 2020 Park Bond approved by voters last year.
After construction began, Inman confirmed that the RECenter will be open during the entire renovation and that only parts of the facility will be closed at any one time. “The existing small fitness center will be closed in the early stages of construction while the new fitness center is being added. After the opening of the new fitness center and several new multipurpose rooms, the pool will be closed for renovation work. The new ice rink will be built at the same time as the pool renovation. … Parking will be limited in certain areas throughout the construction as the contractor creates the various elements of the project. However, there will be plenty of parking space available for customers who use the open elements of our facility, ”Inman explained.
The construction work is expected to take 3 years. For the latest updates on the project, visit the Fairfax County website here.