Denver Parks & Recreation photo

Officials hoist ceremonial shovels of dirt at the Westwood Recreation Center groundbreaking in April.

Construction is beginning on the new $55 million Westwood Recreation Center in Denver, Colo., according to 9news.com.

The city held a groundbreaking ceremony on April 12, 2025, for the center. FCI Constructors Inc. is the project's contractor.

Situated at the corner of Morrison Road and Walsh Place, the nearly 40,000-sq.-ft. center will feature an aquatics center with a lap pool a lazy river and waterslide that loops in and out of the building. It also will include a multipurpose room, a full-size gym, fitness areas, locker rooms and kids-watch area, 9news.com reported.

Outdoor amenities will include multi-use turf fields.

Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2027, according to 9news.com.

The center construction is supported by a $37.5 million investment from the Elevate Denver Bond program, a voter-approved initiative.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, District 3 Councilwoman Jamie Torres, and Denver Parks & Recreation officials were among those attending the groundbreaking, 9news.com reported.

"Thanks to the residents of Westwood who made their voices heard, this new recreation center will bring resources and amenities to a neighborhood that has always deserved them," Johnston said. "The Westwood Recreation Center will stand as a lasting testament to how we can come together as a community, and Westwood's history, culture, and vibrant spirit that make it so unique."

"The Recreation Center in Westwood is a pivotal and groundbreaking project, and I could not be more proud of the community and the city to be celebrating this groundbreaking," Torres said. "It has been a very long road to get to this point and residents throughout west and southwest Denver have truly deserved this beautiful recreation center. This day is a testament to the hard work, advocacy and perseverance of all who ensured this day would be possible."

Denver Parks and Recreation Executive Director Jolon Clark said the center will be environmentally sustainable. Electricity and geothermal energy will be used to heat and power the building, denvergazette.com reported.

"This is going to be one of the most sustainable, environmentally friendly buildings the city of Denver has ever built," Clark said. "There will be no gas, no burning of those fossil fuels coming in to heat or cool the recreation center."

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