Though they billed it as a “soft opening,” the renovated, 139,000-square-foot Mount Vernon Recreation Center drew many admiring oohs and ahs on June 9 when local officials and others cut a red ribbon at its re-opening.

When the $41 million, 75,000-square-foot expansion is fully completed, the center will have two National Hockey League-sized ice rinks, a fitness area, an elevated indoor track, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a climbing wall and multi-purpose rooms.

The Rec Center closed in December 2022 for the redo. “In some ways it seems like we’ve waited forever to re-open, but it is delightful that we are here now,” said Linwood Gorham, Mount Vernon’s representative on the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) Board of Directors.

A Place to Get Healthy

FCPA Executive Director Jai Cole said, “The majority of our recreation centers were built 40 years ago. We want to provide the public phenomenal places to get healthy, to learn to swim and meet others.”

Local resident Aimee Spencer said she was “ecstatic” about the opening because she’s a strong supporter of the Northern Virginia Ice Dogs, a youth hockey group. For eight years, she has promoted “hockey for everyone.” Now, hockey teams will have a place to practice and have competitive games, she

said.

Cole commented, “This is the only public ice skating rink in the county, the only place where the Ice Dogs can play. Sports like hockey are very expensive. This center can make ice skating and hockey more affordable to people and be introduced to more people, to sports that otherwise may not be very available.”

The center offers skate rentals and sharpening services, public skating sessions and skating lessons. Describing the climbing wall, a county brochure says, “This two-story artificial rock wall features auto-belays as well as boulder areas for additional challenge.”

Only two hours after its 7 a.m. opening to the public, a few people were pedaling bikes and using aerobic and resistance machines in the fitness center.

The Rec Center also offers yoga, Pilates and a weight room.

Summer camp programs include arts and crafts, performing arts, sports and other activities.

The center was built in 1979 with the pool added in 1983. The renovation upgraded the mechanical systems and introduced more natural light.

Outside

The center’s grounds got a remake too. The park authority planted American holly, Eastern red cedar, southern magnolia, red maple, swamp white oak, pinxterbloom azalea, red chokeberry and arrowwood viburnum. All are indigenous to Fairfax County, Daidria Grayson, FCPA’s Communications Division Director, reported, except the southern magnolia which has been naturalized in Virginia. “None have invasive tendencies, as planting invasive species is prohibited.” All were approved by the county’s Land Development Services and Urban Forester.

According to Grayson, swimming pool water will be released into the sanitary sewer system, not the storm sewer system, so the pool water won’t go into local streams. “Stormwater management is provided via two underground tanks,” she said. “Stormwater (rain) is collected with various storm inlets and directed to the underground tanks, which release the water slowly into an existing storm sewer system,” she said.  “The slow release is designed to eliminate a downstream surge that might contribute to erosion.”

Staggered Opening, Information

The various parts will open gradually, with summer camps beginning on June 16 and the climbing wall and drop-in childcare for patrons, June 23.

"This new prominent landmark is unparalleled in the County, with a dramatically enhanced entrance, exterior façade and lighting, health, fitness and fun,” said Mount Vernon Supervisor Dan Storck. “We look forward to the rest of the amenities opening throughout the summer and a community grand opening celebration in August."

Managers will open the revamped pool and host a grand re-opening in late summer. Sands Smith is the center’s manager.

FCPA is offering guided tours for groups of 12 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. until June 20 and 25 percent off memberships to new members until Aug. 31, which also grants access to all Park Authority Rec Centers. Visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/reccenter/mount-vernon.