Lakewood’s proposal for closing rec centers is documented in Appendix G of the Imagine Tomorrow document linked below. The closure roadmap is on the table based on staff recommendations in Appendix G that city council has approved by a formal vote. If Lakewood goes forward with the proposal in Appendix G, some or possibly ALL rec centers would be closed. If rec centers are eventually closed, as proposed, Lakewood has not been clear about the disposition of the vacant properties. Demolition of the closed rec centers would certainly be an option in order to make way for other uses. Here are some key facts included in the Appendix G document. We suggest you read the document for an even more complete view of what staff and council have proposed and accepted.
1) The rec centers cost millions of dollars per year to run but only 50% of that cost is recovered by user fees.
2) The rec centers also need $37,000,000 of repairs over the next 20 years to fix deficiencies identified by consultant firm Bureau Veritas.
3) “The community’s desire for a new destination recreation center was first revealed in the Imagine Lakewood! master plan adopted in 2017. “
4) “Recommendation: The city should explore how to reduce the cost burden associated with operating older recreation facilities. One recommendation is to eliminate several centers in the city’s portfolio and replace them with one destination recreation center that provides most of the amenities the community desires in one central location.”
5) “The Addenbrooke Park Master Plan from 1984 identified the northwest corner of the park as an ideal location for a recreation center. “
