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Annapolis outlines Stanton Community Center overhaul with esports arena and interactive floor
Summary
City recreation staff told the Annapolis City Council work session on May 27 that they plan a phased Stanton Community Center overhaul that would add an interactive, projected floor and a video wall to support STEAM education, esports and accessibility features while retaining traditional gym uses.
City recreation officials described a multi-phase plan May 27 to renovate Stanton Community Center into a STEAM-focused public facility with an esports arena and an interactive projected floor that department staff said could serve education, recreation and events.
"For the record, I'm Rosalind Johnson. I'm the director of recreation and parks for the city of Annapolis," Johnson said at the May 27 work session, introducing the Stanton presentation. She said the center would remain a gym while adding a programmable, interactive floor and a 30-foot video wall intended to support STEAM education, assistive features for people with sensory and visual impairments, and public programming.
Why it matters: Staff framed Stanton as a way to expand youth exposure to technology and future job pathways while retaining traditional recreation uses. Officials said the proposed upgrades could increase demand for the space and that scheduling and rental policies will be needed to protect community access.
Key details
- Proposed technology and uses: Staff described an interactive floor system that sits over the existing gym floor (about six inches above current flooring) and a large LED video wall. They said the floor can display educational content (solar system, periodic table), light up to assist people with visual impairments during activities such as bingo, and support esports events, roller sports, wheelchair basketball and adaptive programming. Staff noted the flooring is modular (sections ~3 ft x 3 ft) and that damaged sections could be swapped out.
- Cost and procurement: Department staff said the combined cost for the interactive floor and video wall was initially estimated at $2.1to$2.4 million and that negotiations had brought that figure down to about $1.9 million for the floor and video wall together. Staff said the vendor includes training for city staff as part of the purchase.
- Funding: Johnson said Delegate Henson provided roughly $1.2 million for Stanton. Staff said they had pursued federal earmarks (they mentioned earlier smaller earmarks of $750,000 and $500,000) but that a recent continuing resolution wiped many earmarks from the federal package; staff nevertheless said there are earmarks listed at $3 million for the Stanton interior, $3 million for a rooftop playground and $3 million for Carzaltonia, but stressed those federal funds remain uncertain.
- Timeline and implementation: Staff said the vendor's lead time for the floor is about six months from order. The department said interior renovation work could proceed while the floor is fabricated; staff estimated the project could be installed "by the end of the year, very beginning of next year" in a best-case scenario but stressed that firm scheduling depends on completed design drawings and funding. Johnson said the department has an architect on board and is completing design work.
- Community access and scheduling: Council members raised concerns that high-demand events and tournaments might displace neighborhood pick-up play. Department staff proposed preliminary scheduling rules (example: limited rental hours in mornings, community access afternoons and weekends) and said policies would be tested and adjusted.
- Facility condition and phases: The department referenced a 2021 facility assessment that identified approximately $1,452,000 in building needs. Staff said Stanton would be addressed in phases: gym (phase 1), interior renovations, and a rooftop playground depending on funding available. Donovan Harold was named as having completed the building assessment in 2021; staff said public-works and facilities specialists will handle structural and engineering fixes.
What was not decided
No formal council vote was taken. The presentation identified funding committed and potential sources, but multiple council members pressed staff for a written list of outstanding facility needs and for clearer schedules before the council's budget vote.
Ending
Staff said vendor training is included and that spare panels and warranty coverage would be provided; they offered to return with a phased spending plan, a completed design and a list of outstanding facility items for the council to review before the budget vote.
