The Grand Junction Community Recreation Center at 2836 Recreation Way welcomed the public for the first time on Friday, Sept. 25, following a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. The opening of the $82.1-million facility offered fare-free admission for two days, allowing residents to explore the new center.
Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Director Ken Sherbenou addressed the crowd, calling it "a proud day for Grand Junction" and acknowledging that many in the community believed this day might never come. City Council Member Anna Stout, who served as mayor when the project's funding was approved, echoed the sentiment, stating, "Good things come to those who wait, and we sure have waited a long time for this."
The opening concluded a lengthy effort for the center, with city officials noting early conversations about such a facility dating back to the 1970s. A ballot measure to fund construction failed in 2019, but a subsequent measure succeeded in April 2023 after a significant community campaign. This approval led to additional grants and donations, resulting in a 107,000-square-foot facility, considerably larger than initially planned.
Andreya Krieves, a key volunteer in the fundraising and awareness efforts, described seeing the completed building at Matchett Park as "surreal." She expressed "joy and gratitude" for the many people who contributed to the project, noting that "hundreds, thousands of people have their fingerprints on this building."
Ms. Stout observed a growing enthusiasm for the recreation center, even among those who initially did not support it. She noted many have since expressed excitement about becoming members and utilizing the facility.
The new center boasts a wide array of amenities, including five swimming pools, a three-court gymnasium, a climbing wall, an indoor track, several conference rooms, municipal offices, and lounge areas. Mr. Sherbenou indicated that the diverse offerings are expected to attract visitors not only from Grand Junction but also from communities across the Western Slope, potentially drawing people from an hour or two away due to the unique amenities available here, which he compared favorably to facilities in larger metropolitan areas like Denver or Salt Lake.
Intermountain Health was a major financial partner in the project. Bryan Johnson, Intermountain Health Western Colorado Market President, said that supporting the center was a "natural fit," providing an opportunity to "invest in people’s healthy habits every day." Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital plans to offer programs at the facility, including clinics on fall prevention and ski safety, and will operate a physical therapy office within the center, scheduled to open Monday.
Prior to the opening, community interest was strong. Grand Junction City Manager Mike Bennett reported that municipal employees sold over 1,000 annual memberships in the first week of sales in June, and staff conducted tours for more than 4,000 people in the weeks leading up to Sept. 25.
After the initial fare-free admission on Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the center is scheduled to begin regular operating hours on Monday. Annual passes are available at varying rates: $42 per month for adult Grand Junction residents, $57 per month for other Mesa County residents, and $72 per month for visitors from outside the county. Discounted rates are offered for seniors and children, along with options for dual-member and family bundles, as well as one-day or 20-punch entry passes.
