Westwood Recreation Center

Westwood Recreation Center Exterior Rendering

The Westwood Recreation Center project is funded through the Elevate Denver Bond Program. The future recreation center will be the first in the Westwood neighborhood which has been a historically underserved community, with some of the highest youth and adult obesity rates in the city and a lack of access to recreation facilities and green space. Closing this service gap is one step in Denver Parks & Recreation’s (DPR) Game Plan for a Healthy City to ensure every person has access to safe facilities and dynamic programming. In addition to numerous opportunities for neighbors to engage in a healthy lifestyle through fitness and educational activities, the recreation center will provide a community gathering space where programs and resources can be more easily accessed.  

View the project information sheet(PDF, 2MB)

Find community outreach and design information along with other project details below.


Final Designs:

Take a tour of the future Westwood Recreation Center by watching the videos below: 

 

 


Community Engagement:

Celebration | April 25, 2024

At this celebration, DPR shared final images with the Westwood neighborhood and talked about the community-selected amenities and the construction timeline.

Download the Community Engagement Summary Presentation(PDF, 11MB)

When: Thursday, April 25, 2024 | 6:00-7:30 pm
Where: Westwood Community Center, 1000 S. Lowell Blvd., Denver 

Center Concept Survey | Closed

For the Center Concept Survey, participants compared the two schemes that are being considered for the Westwood Recreation Center look by watching the video in English or in Spanish.  Afterwards the survey served to let us know which elements, features and experience were preferred.

English survey [closed] | Encuesta en español [cerrada]

Public Meeting #3 | October 8, 2022

Sat. October 8, 2022 | 10:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.

In the third meeting, Denver Parks and Recreation invited the community to create a recreation center OF and FOR Westwood. Participants learned more about the project, proposed activities, and early design ideas for the site. Everyone was able to participate in the meeting activities, with food provided for attendees.

Spanish and Vietnamese interpretation services were offered.


En la tercera reunion, Denver Parks and Recreation invita a la comunidad a crear un centro de recreación DE y PARA Westwood! Aprendimos mas acerca del proyecto, las actividades propuestas en el centro, e ideas iniciales del diseño para el lote. La reunión erá para que toda la familia participe, y con comida para los que asisten.

Interpretación al español y vietnamita disponible.

Public Meeting #2 | May 25, 2022

Wed. May 25, 2022 | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

For the second meeting, Denver Parks and Recreation invited the community to share ideas for a new recreation center for the Westwood neighborhood.  

Download the meeting flyer(PDF, 174KB)


En está reunion los invitamos a compartir SUS ideas para el nuevo centro de recreación de Westwood!

Descargué el volante de la próxima reunion comunitaria(PDF, 174KB) 

Public Meeting #1 | March 23, 2022

Wed. March 23, 2022 | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Denver Parks and Recreation hosted the first community public meeting to help neighbors learn about the project, meet the project team and provide their initial input. 


Project Background:

Frequently Asked Questions

Where will the new recreation center be located?
The new recreation center will be located at the corner of Morrison Road and Walsh Place, which is the former site of a former carwash.

What type of center will this be?
At an anticipated 40,000 square feet, the Westwood Recreation Center will be a Neighborhood Center. Denver Parks & Recreation has three levels of recreation centers that are determined based on size, amenities, programming and hours of operation: Regional; Local; and Neighborhood.

What is the project timeline?

  • Spring 2021: Launch of design and community input process
  • Late Spring 2025: Groundbreaking
  • Late Summer 2027: Grand opening

Timeline subject to change. 

What will this recreation center cost?
The cost of the Westwood Recreation Center, including land purchase, design and construction is approximately $54 million (construction $39 million). This budget was increased after community engagement during the design phase that identified a need for features such as an indoor pool, gymnasium, fitness area, multipurpose room and flexible space for community meetings and events. As a result of the necessary increase in budget, the design process and construction contract negotiations took longer than anticipated, adjusting construction start and completion timelines.

How was the recreation center funded?
This project is funded through the Elevate Denver Bond Program, approved by voters in 2017 to enhance mobility, safety, and quality of life across Denver.

How will the design of Westwood Recreation Center help to mitigate safety concerns? 
The design of the building attempts to prohibit any loitering or unlawful behavior. The building will also have safety cameras on the interior and exterior. Staff also patrols public spaces while we are open to assist customers and address any issues that come up.

Community Advisory Group

Arturo Garcia
Business Owner

Cindia Reyes
Community Member

Crystal Munoz
Roots Family Center

Daisy Rocha Vasquez
Council District #3

Father Joseph Dang
Community Leader

Fernando Branch
Colorado I Have a Dream

Jose Esparza
BuCu West

Karimme Quintana
Westwood Unidos/ Lifespan Local

Kasandra Ornelas
Southwest Denver Coalition 

Lance Guanella
Southwest Improvement Council

Lee Rains Thomas
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

Michelle Tijerna
Mental Health Center of Denver

Mirian Alvarez
Westwood Unidos

Norma Brambilla
Westwood Unidos

Pearl Lopez
Denver Police Department

Perla Manquero
Sewall Child Development Center

Rosa Vergil
Una Mano Esperanza

Ruben Moya
Community Member

Steve Rovello
Denver Indian Center

Tanil Maldonado
Community Member

Yuridia Bahena
Re: Vision

Site Map

Westwood Recreation Center Site Map