Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship
After years of planning, the Colchester Recreation Center has officially opened to the public, offering pickleball, basketball, indoor running and more for all ages.
A ceremony and open house were held on Feb. 17 to mark the opening of the new building. The event invited the community to take a first look at the 29,427-square-foot facility.
During the ceremony, Colchester Parks and Recreation Director Glen Cuttitta acknowledged the time and effort it took to make the facility a reality.
“The residents and the board members of the Town of Colchester have made this happen,” Cuttitta said. “You should all be proud of yourselves for this endeavor.”
Others who spoke during the ceremony included Recreation Advisory Board chair Adriane Martin and Pam Loranger, selectboard chair.
“This space belongs to you, the community. It exists because of your needs, your passions and your desire for a better place to live, grow and connect. We invite you to make this center your own,” said Martin.
Loranger closed her remarks with a call to action: “May the spirit of sportsmanship and love of our community continue to unite us all. Let the games begin!”
The site adds to an array of recreation offerings in Colchester, including areas like Bayside Park, Fort Ethan Allen Park and the Colchester Causeway.
The new building features a cardio and weight room, an elevated track overlooking a full-sized multipurpose gymnasium, locker rooms, classroom and studio space and a kitchen. The center is currently offering a number of programs for adults, including group fitness classes, basketball, volleyball and pickleball.
“Colchester embodies recreation. To add indoor recreation opportunities really just further enhances our community’s commitment to the physical, social and mental well-being of residents of all ages,” said Martin in an informational video posted on the town website.
As part of the project, a solar canopy was installed in a portion of the parking lot, as well as solar panels on the roof of the building itself. The building did not require an Act 250 permit, as less than 10 acres of land were disturbed.
The latest addition to the Colchester Parks and Recreation portfolio is more than 20 years in the making. According to an informational presentation published by the town, the first committee for the project was formed back in 2002 after a survey found that there was overwhelming public support for a recreation facility.
Construction of the building was funded exclusively by Colchester’s 1% local option tax, which is a tax applied to all sales, meals, rooms and alcoholic beverages sold in the town. All proceeds are meant to be used for voter-approved capital projects. The total budget of the project was about $15.9 million of which $9 million came directly from the tax proceeds. The remaining $6.9 million came from a loan that will be paid back over 10 years, also by the tax money.
The facility at 80 Dick Mazza Drive will operate seven days a week. The center will offer day, three-month and annual passes for both residents and nonresidents of Colchester. Residents can expect to pay $600 for an adult annual membership or $1,200 for a family of four, while nonresident prices are $780 and $1,560.