Westwood Recreation Center

Westwood Recreation Center Exterior Rendering

Programming Survey:

Located at the corner of Morrison Road and Walsh Place, construction on Westwood Recreation Center began spring 2025 and is expected to be complete by summer 2027. This will be a Local level center that offers a variety of amenities and activities. 

Denver Parks and Recreation is gathering feedback to better understand what programs and services are most important to residents. Your feedback will directly help determine programming priorities:

Center Amenities:

Westwood Recreation Center will feature the following amenities to support a variety of activities:

  • Weight and cardio fitness room
  • Group exercise studio
  • Gymnasium
  • Indoor pool
  • Pottery studio
  • Outdoor turf field
  • Teaching garden
  • Lounge room
  • Multi-purpose community room

Memberships & Hours of Operation

Once open in 2027, the center's operating hours are scheduled to be:

  • Monday-Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Sunday: Closed


Project Design & Background:

Download the design boards(PDF, 21MB)

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

 

  

About the Project:

This 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)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is 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?
Westwood Recreation Center will be a Local 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

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