The wait is over for a northside Des Moines recreation center that has been years in the making.
Hundreds of community members, business leaders and local elected officials gathered at the Reichardt Community Recreation Center on Wednesday, April 29, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark its opening.
Plans for the estimated $22 million recreation center at 915 College Ave. have been in progress since at least 2021, when community members shared their vision for what would replace the aging John R. Grubb Community YMCA. Fifteen donors contributed about $6 million to the project, Des Moines Parks and Recreation Director Ben Page said.
The two-story, nearly 37,000-square-foot center boasts a high school-sized basketball court, Des Moines’ first indoor public pool, community rooms and a gaming center, according to city officials. It joins two other city rec centers, the Fourmile Community Recreation Center at 3711 Easton Blvd. and the Pioneer Columbus Community Recreation Center at 2100 Southeast Fifth St.
Des Moines City Council member Rob Barron, who represents the city’s northwest side, said the center’s story is one of donors, champions and advocates who are helping shape the city’s future.
“Now, I just want to say, this facility is amazing,” Barron told attendees. “This gym, the bleachers, the weight room, the track, the pool, the idea lab, the community meeting spaces, the kitchens, all of it. This is yours. Make it yours.”
Des Moines area residents Karen and Del Marion met at the Grubb YMCA’s gym about 30 years ago while Karen worked there. The closure of the Grubb feels like history is being lost, Karen said on Wednesday. But the couple agrees that the building was old, and the new facility inspires a way for younger generations to connect.
“This place is just beautiful,” Karen Marion said of the Reichardt center. “We’ll bring our grandsons here. That’s going to be something we’ll enjoy, watching them make new memories.”
What will community members find at the Reichardt recreation center?
Highlights of the space include a basketball court, which also can be used for other sports like pickleball and volleyball. A sunny yellow elevated track circles above the court, with space for a workout area filled with weights, treadmills and other gym equipment.
On the other side of the lobby, the center houses an innovation lab with computers and video game equipment.
Page previously said the city is proud of its indoor pool, one of the features that was high on community members’ priority list during early planning stages. The pool, located on the first floor, has lap lanes, a shallow end with a play area and a diving board. Locker rooms lead into the pool area.
The building also includes a community room with a kitchen where visitors can host everything from birthday parties to neighborhood meetings.
What are the hours, rates at the Reichardt recreation center?
The recreation center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission will be free through Friday, May 1.
Daily admission rates are:
What’s next for Brian Melton and Good parks?
City parks and recreation staff were collecting input at Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting for upgrades to the neighboring Brian Melton and Good parks. Community members are asked to share feedback for recreation ideas and improvements to the parks.
Input can be submitted online until May 12 at https://www.dsm.city/Good_Park_&_Brian_Melton_Park_Community_Engagement_797.php.
Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: ‘Make it yours’: Des Moines’ Reichardt rec center opens its doors
Reporting by Virginia Barreda, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
