Image courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority
Rendering of renovated Mount Vernon Rec Center
Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) board has voted to temporarily close the Mount Vernon Rec Center (2017 Belle View Blvd.) during renovations, in order for the project to remain on schedule.
Construction was supposed to begin last summer, and the rec center was originally going to remain open as the renovations took place in phases, but the COVID-19 pandemic and related supply chain issues significantly delayed the project and raised costs. The project is funded by park bond funds approved by voters in 2016 and 2020.
“A shortfall of over $20 million in bond funding necessitated the schedule changes, made phased construction schedule unrealistic and ultimately led to the decision to close for the renovation,” said FCPA Deputy Director, Sara Baldwin in a letter to Mount Vernon Rec Center customers. The facility will close in early 2023 and will remain closed for approximately 24 months, with the center expected to reopen in 2025.
Proposed renovations include adding a two story fitness center, multi-purpose areas, offices, other building and pool upgrades and a second ice rink that meets NHL standards and new locker rooms. Mount Vernon Rec Center is currently the only FCPA facility with an ice rink.
Mount Vernon Rec Center users will be able to access other nearby rec centers like Lee District Rec Center (6601 Telegraph Rd.) and George Washington Rec Center (8426 Old Mount Vernon Rd.), both of which are located within five miles of the Mount Vernon Rec Center. “We recognize the impact on our customers and to that end will work diligently to keep construction on schedule. The Park Authority will work closely with our customers to ensure access to facilities that meet their fitness and recreational goals,” Baldwin continued in her letter.
Merit staff at the Mount Vernon Rec Center will be reassigned and the FCPA will do its best to place seasonal employees at other facilities.
More information on the renovation and closure can be found at the project webpage or by emailing parkmail@faifaxcounty.gov with Mount Vernon in the subject line.
