Englewood bond oversight committee updates rec center plan, park timelines and finances

The Renew and Recreate Parks and Rec Bond Oversight Committee heard project updates on multiple bond-funded parks and recreation projects, timeline changes, and financial figures at its October meeting.

Gina, a city parks staff member, told the committee that the recreation center renovation remains on track but staff removed on-site pickleball courts after designers concluded the west-side expansion would push stormwater-disturbed area past a 10,000-square-foot limit. "We felt it best as a staff to go ahead and remove the pickleball courts," Gina said, noting the change avoids constructing a large detention pond that would consume project funds.

The committee was shown a three-dimensional rendering of the renovated locker-room complex. Brad, a city parks staff member, described the layout: five locker rooms including a family/universal room, three ADA-accessible rooms, an adult changing area and separate men’s and women’s rooms. Sarah, a city facilities staff member, said toilet fixtures were increased and shower capacity was maintained, and designers will offer multiple locker sizes and revised bench placement to improve circulation. Gina also said the project will replace an in-building lift to reduce staff assistance needs.

Brad updated on the aquatic project, Pirates Cove, saying designers have moved from a gutter pool to a skimmer pool system to simplify maintenance, and staff are coordinating electrical and mechanical adjustments including transformer work with the utility. He said plans call for closing the existing facility after August 2026 so construction can proceed and for reopening in May (year specified in design notes) to align with seasonal operations.

Adrian, a parks staff member, reported on Cushing Park: fencing and dog-park amenities are largely complete, agility equipment is expected within a week and staff aim to open the dog park in early November. Playground equipment deliveries were delayed and are expected to be installed in early January. Cushing’s playground will include a large sculptural “gold nugget” element tied to local historical interpretation.

Emerson Park work is scheduled to begin the week of Nov. 10 with the same contractor currently finishing Cushing; work there will add irrigation, a small pavilion, new trees and plantings while preserving open lawn. Rotolo was noted as starting in 2026 after a contract approved by City Council on Oct. 6. Miller Field is at roughly 50% design; staff expect 100% construction documents later this year, an RFP in January and construction in spring–summer 2026 if schedules hold. Designers are coordinating with police, fire and stormwater to site a new stage, restroom and educational stormwater features.

On finances, Gina presented updated budget figures for the $41,500,000 bond program. As of the report, 1.41% of the full bond amount had been spent; when including encumbrances for design contracts, 10.42% of the bond total is either spent or encumbered. She reported interest earnings on bond proceeds of $670,555 since the bond purchase in April through September and said the committee will later recommend uses for that interest income to City Council. "This is the money that we will have to go back to council and make requests to spend," Gina said.

Staff announced a public Bond Projects open house on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Civic Center. The event will present all 10 bond projects and highlight Miller Field, the recreation center and Bellevue Park; Clarkson Park will be included with a two-week online survey for additional feedback. Gina said committee updates will be delivered by email in November and December and the regular meeting series will resume with new invites in January.

Committee members asked about alternate pickleball opportunities and repainting existing courts; Gina and staff said pickleball courts will be added at Bellevue Park and that resurfacing other community courts could be considered later if funding allows. Staff also noted unresolved site constraints that affect drainage at Rotolo, including a Denver Water easement that requires additional coordination.

The committee did not take formal votes at this meeting; staff presented design decisions and schedule updates for committee awareness and future public outreach.

Additional details shared during the meeting include: whether steam-room and sauna door placements could be reconfigured due to proximity to locker-room circulation; the decision to move to a skimmer pool at Pirates Cove to match existing maintenance experience; and ongoing coordination with electrical engineers and the utility on panel capacity and a transformer replacement.