Grand Junction's long-anticipated Community Recreation Center opened its doors to the public on Friday, Sept. 25, at 2836 Recreation Way in Matchett Park. The $82.1-million facility welcomed residents with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and two days of fare-free admissions. City officials and community partners celebrated the culmination of a project that has been discussed for decades, offering local families, students, and workers a new, extensive hub for fitness and community gathering.
Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Director Ken Sherbenou described it as "a proud day for Grand Junction," thanking attendees for celebrating "a day that many in this community thought would never come." Dozens of locals immediately began using the facility on Friday, playing in the pool area, shooting hoops, and enjoying table tennis. Colin Kaiser and Levi Ross were observed playing pool basketball, while Kathleen Killian and Nancy MacDonald played table tennis.
The opening concludes a lengthy saga for the center, with early conversations dating back to the 1970s, according to city officials. A ballot measure to fund the construction initially failed in 2019. However, a subsequent measure succeeded in April 2023 after a significant community campaign. This approval led to additional grants and donations, resulting in a facility considerably larger than originally planned, spanning 107,000 square feet.
Grand Junction City Council Member Anna Stout, who was the city's mayor when the successful ballot measure passed, commented that "Good things come to those who wait," acknowledging the community's long anticipation for the facility. Stout noted the growing enthusiasm for the center, even among those who initially did not support it, and thanked the numerous volunteers whose efforts were "pivotal in getting the project across the finish line." Andreya Krieves, a leading volunteer, called seeing the building ready for use "surreal" after extensive door-walking, phone-calling, and fundraising. Krieves expressed "such joy and gratitude" for the many people who worked on the building, some of whom are no longer living, and mentioned "hundreds, thousands of people have their fingerprints on this building."
Intermountain Health Western Colorado Market President Bryan Johnson also spoke at the event, highlighting the hospital's role as a major financial partner. Johnson stated that supporting the recreation center was "such a natural fit for us," representing an opportunity "to invest in people’s healthy habits every day." Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital plans to offer programs like fall prevention and ski safety clinics at the facility and will open a physical therapy office inside the center on Monday.
The new center boasts five swimming pools, a three-court gymnasium, a climbing wall, an indoor track, several conference rooms, municipal offices, and lounge areas. Parks and Recreation Director Ken Sherbenou stated these diverse activities are "attractive enough to not only serve the local community" but also draw visitors "well beyond the city limits." He noted people would travel "an hour, two hours" to use the center, as its amenities are rare outside of Denver or Salt Lake, and are "even better than some" in those major areas. Six-year-old Ainsley Gower was seen enjoying the water sprayers in the pool area on opening day.
Following the two days of free admission on Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26 (from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), the center is scheduled to open with its regular operating hours on Monday. Annual passes for Grand Junction adult residents are $42 per month, while other Mesa County residents pay $57 per month, and visitors from outside the county pay $72 per month, according to a city webpage. Discount rates for seniors and children are also available, along with options for dual-member and family bundles, or one-day and 20-punch entry passes. Grand Junction City Manager Mike Bennett reported strong early interest, with municipal employees selling more than 1,000 annual memberships in June and staff conducting tours for over 4,000 people in the weeks leading up to the opening.
