Community and Recreation Center
A Community and Recreation Center is coming to Ridgefield!
The Ridgefield community has clearly identified a need for a community hub that provides space for recreation, connection and belonging. The Ridgefield Community and Recreation Center will enhance the City’s recreation system by providing aquatics, wellness, education, social connection and community gathering opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities.
What Will the Center Include?
The Community and Recreation Center (REC) will consist of a 43,000 square foot two-story complex with large windows and exposed wood.
Key Features of the design include classrooms, a teen center, commercial kitchen, community spaces, gym with elevated track, lap pool, recreation pool, locker rooms, cardio and weight fitness centers, and a child-care center. The surrounding site will maintain a natural park like setting to complement the facility.
The City intends to enter into an agreement with a third-party operator for the long-term operation of the REC. After review of operator proposals, an operator has been selected, and contract negotiations are underway.
Project History
The early stages of this project began in 2016 with a feasibility study for a recreation center. Over the years, progress has included identifying and acquiring land for the center, securing a development partner, and expanding the vision to include a Community Center, filling a gap created when the Ridgefield Community Library expanded in 2019. Economic instability and construction cost increases during the coronavirus pandemic delayed the anticipated timeline, but the project remained a high priority to the City.
In 2023, the project team identified a public-private partnership model to bring the long-awaited project to reality. The City has partnered with a developer to build two separate centers, a recreation center and a community center. The multi-purpose complex will operate as one.
Since then, the team has worked to formalize the partnership, complete building design and permitting, and identify and secure funding. Taking the time to work through these details thoroughly ensures the public investment in this facility delivers the benefits residents are seeking while remaining financially sustainable and affordable.
Project Status
Major progress has been made in 2026. In January, City Council approved a letter of intent with Blue Rock Ventures securing the public-private partnership model for the facility. In the months that followed the team completed initial design, land use permitting, and formalized public funding for the project. In May, the City selected both the general construction contractor and the project manager through the public procurement process. On August 27, City Council approved the development agreement with Blue Rock Ventures, outlining and formalizing the financing and operations model and conditions for this project.
During the permitting process, the Washington State Department of Ecology found site conditions that required adjustments to the site layout. While these adjustments delayed the projected groundbreaking, they also reduce the overall impact on the natural environment and create opportunities for cost savings by creating construction efficiencies and aligning groundbreaking with the fundraising campaign timeline. The adjustments to the site layout do not impact the size or programming of the REC.
The City is currently securing Lead Gifts including naming rights for the overall facility and gifts for major spaces such as pools, lobbies and rooms. These are opportunities to invest early in a community-owned and funded project that will transform recreation opportunities in north Clark County.
Early investments have an impact well beyond groundbreaking. Funds raised before financing reduce borrowing needs, lowering long-term debt costs and helping create an affordable and accessible facility for generations to come.
Next Steps
The project team is continuing to work through this high-priority project by completing preconstruction requirements and preparing for future phases of the development, including construction, program development and operation.
Upcoming milestones include
- Completing design revisions and final permitting,
- Contracting with the selected facility operator, and
- Construction Groundbreaking in 2027.
Questions
Interested in learning about the development activity happening in Ridgefield? Check out our Development Activity Map.
In the map, you can click on projects to quickly see some basic facts including type of project, size, and status. If you find yourself wanting more information on any of the projects, please call Community Development at 360-887-3908.
