Englewood oversight committee: recreation center design on track, community review planned

At a monthly meeting of the Renew and Recreate Parks and Rec Bond oversight committee, Gina O'Bering, project manager for the Parks and Rec bond, said the recreation center design is on schedule and moving into design-development work.

O'Bering told the committee the project team has received input from an online survey — 63 responses — and is refining locker-room layouts and other details based on how visitors use the facility. Brad Anderson, deputy director of parks and recreation, said the design team is preparing 100% of the design deliverables and that initial cost estimates have arrived and appear to fit within the project budget, though some desirable alternatives may be deferred.

The design team will present the project to the city development-review team for comment and expects to host another community event in September or October to gather additional public input. Anderson said the project is then expected to move into design development and later to formal review steps required for permitting. Sarah Stamp, recreation manager, said the public open houses and surveys have produced “a lot of great conversations” and that many community suggestions are being incorporated in the design.

Committee members and staff emphasized continued outreach: communications staff produced a vertical timeline display used at recent neighborhood events and the block party to encourage discussion, and staff said they will bring that a-frame display to future community meetings.

Next steps listed by staff include advancing design development, scheduling the fall community event, and preparing permit and review materials for the development-review process. The committee's next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25 at 2 p.m.