Image courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority
Fairfax County residents in the Mount Vernon District know that the local recreation center is long overdue for a renovation. The ice rink at the center was opened in 1979, and the aquatic center was built in 1983. Permits for the renovation and a new fitness center were approved last November and construction was set to begin in May — but now residents will have to wait a little bit longer.
According to Project Manger, Eric Inman, construction on Phase I of the project might begin in July or August. COVID-19 is responsible for the delay, he said.
The project will be divided into three phases. Phase I will see renovation of the existing building along with a 35,000 square feet addition that will house a brand new fitness facility, multi-purpose areas, offices and a new entry and lobby. The $22 million renovation and fitness addition will be funded through the 2016 Park Bond Fund.
Phase II of the project is the construction of a new ice rink that will be built to NHL standards with new, larger locker rooms. The ice rink will cost approximately $11.5 million and will be funded from the $112 million 2020 Park Bond which was approved by voters last year.
Once construction does begin, Inman confirmed the RECenter will be open throughout the renovation with only portions of the facility being closed at a time. “The existing small fitness center will be closed at the initial phase of construction while the new fitness center addition is constructed. Following the opening of the new fitness center, along with several new multipurpose rooms, the pool will be closed for renovation. The new ice rink will be built at the same time as the pool renovations. ... Parking will be limited in areas throughout the construction as the contractor builds the various elements of the project. However, there will be ample parking spaces available for patrons that use the open elements of our facility,” Inman explained.
Construction is expected to take roughly 3 years to complete. For the latest updates on the project visit the Fairfax County website here.
Image courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority
Image courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority
Image courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority
