By 1808Delaware
📍 The big picture
The Eastern Delaware County Joint Recreation District (EDJRD) is moving closer to a major new community center—about 100,000 square feet—designed to serve a fast-growing population with fitness, aquatics, and gathering space.
- A feasibility report released April 13 outlines the concept
- Backed by months of public input and market analysis
- Next step: funding strategy and potential May 2027 ballot issue
💡 Why it matters
Residents are already traveling outside the area for recreation.
- Demand is already there, not speculative
- Growth in eastern Delaware County is accelerating
- The project is positioned as infrastructure, not a luxury
👉 Translation: This is about keeping services local as the area expands.
🧱 What’s proposed
A full-service recreation center with:
- 🏋️ 12,000 SF fitness space (cardio + strength)
- 🧘 Group fitness rooms (3,000 SF)
- 🏀 Two full-court gyms (16,000 SF)
- 🏊 Indoor leisure + lap pool (22,000 SF)
- 🚶 Indoor walking/running track
- 👨👩👧 Multi-purpose program rooms (4,000 SF)
- 🧒 Child watch area
- 👵 Senior + teen lounge
- 🔒 Locker rooms
- ➕ Space for future expansion
👉 Designed for both daily use and large-scale community programming.
💰 The cost
Estimated total project cost:
➡️ $44.7M to $74.0M
Breakdown highlights:
- $380–$496 per square foot construction cost
- Soft costs: +20–30%
- Site development: $500K–$600K per acre
- Land needs: 8–12 acres
👉 Final cost depends heavily on site, design, and timing.
📊 What the market says
The analysis is clear:
- Population in the service area is growing rapidly
- Residents already travel outside the district for similar facilities
- Comparable centers nearby show strong usage and funding models
👉 Bottom line: The region can support a facility of this scale.
🗣️ How input was gathered
The recommendation is built on extensive outreach:
- Community workshops (Nov. + Feb.)
- Youth sports focus group
- 6 board member interviews
- 3 board meetings
- 2 public surveys
👉 Consistent feedback: fitness + aquatics + flexible space are top priorities.
📍 Site criteria (not chosen yet)
Key factors for selecting a location:
- Population density and growth trends
- Access to utilities
- Room for expansion
- Cost and land availability
- Nearby development patterns
👉 Multiple areas within the district could qualify.
⏱️ What’s next
Before anything gets built:
- Develop financial and operating strategy
- Draft funding/ballot language
- Select a site
- Refine facility design
- Continue public engagement
📅 Target: Position project for May 2027 ballot initiative
⚖️ The bottom line
This project has moved from idea to defined proposal.
- Clear demand ✔️
- Defined program ✔️
- Real cost range ✔️
What’s still open:
👉 How to pay for it—and whether voters will support it.
