Parker is looking forward to an expansion of the Parker Recreation Center as it struggles to accommodate the burgeoning growth in the community, especially when it comes to aquatics.
Meagan Nakashima-Arvidson, assistant recreation director for Parker, said the leisure pool can’t accommodate the demand from various groups at the same time.
“We would like to expand our pool options to provide space for leisure and lap swimming, therapeutic pool users, aqua aerobics and swimming lessons without having to close down an area for one activity over another,” said Nakashima-Arvidson in an e-mail.
Jim Cleveland, director of parks, recreation and open space, said there was a modest, 9,000-square-foot expansion to the recreation center’s east side in 1999. The town is proposing a 34,000-square-foot expansion with building to begin next summer. He said council already is looking ahead to the need to build a new recreation facility altogether. The project’s budget is $16 million, coming from the existing fund balance and certificates of participation.
“In the past, our lack of amenities obligated some citizens to leave Parker for indoor leisure pools,” Cleveland said in an e-mail. “This was disappointing and something that had to be remedied. With this expansion, we hope to provide a wide range of exciting recreational opportunities that are both convenient and affordable. “
The plans include a leisure pool, therapy pool, eight new family dressing rooms, a half gymnasium, a new fitness studio, updated lobby and classrooms, and newly renovated locker rooms.
NakashimaArvidson said the current recreation center gets about 500-750 visits a day.
“It is difficult for us to grow any more with the space we have,” she said. “We need to create more spaces for those programs that continue to grow. Expanding the aquatic, fitness and gymnasium spaces would be the most beneficial to the community. “
Mayor Mike Waid said this expansion also will mean Parker can offer competitive aquatic facilities unique to the area.
“Our new expanded facility will not only offer our residents an amazing experience for kids’ parties, but it will also attract nonresidents to Parker to experience what we have to offer,” Waid said in an e-mail.
Waid said he considers the recreation center important to fulfill council goals of enhancing quality of life and offering a full-service community.
The town has leisure pool at the H2O’Brien Pool, but it’s open only during the summer months, and Nakashima-Arvidson said leisure pool activities are year-round.
“With our recreation center nearing 20 years old, it was time to update it and add some long-awaited amenities,” Nakashima-Arvidson said. “Recreation trends can change quickly, so the recreation center expansion will include several spaces designed to adapt to evolving interests and new programs.”
Waid said a new recreation center is part of long-range plans, but officials would look more closely at it once the expansion is built in summer 2015.
“The need for the aquatic center is now, however the financial burden is large (for a new recreation center),” Waid said. “Council is currently exploring fiscally prudent ways to make it happen in the future.”
There will be an open house on the new recreation center expansion from 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 5 at the, Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E. Lincoln Ave. Cleveland said he’s hoping the open house will allow officials to show what they have planned and see if they’re headed in the right direction.
Clayton Woullard: 303-954-2671, cwoullard@denverpost.com or
