What’s Next for the Foster City Recreation Center?
May 8, 2019
Since the opening of the William E. Walker Recreation Center in 1974, this facility has grown to be the central hub of activity for the Foster City community. Its location adjacent to Leo J. Ryan Park is one of the many reasons why the Recreation Center is highly used by groups of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds. As a public space, those who have gathered here have contributed to the sense of community we have all come to value in Foster City. In addition, the Recreation Center also serves as an emergency care shelter.
The Recreation Center, as with any other facility, has a useful life and is 45 steadily approaching 50 years of age. Over the recent years, the condition of the Recreation Center roof has progressively declined. With such deterioration, it has necessitated the need for significant repairs in order to ensure its intended uses and functionalities remain. The Recreation Center has undergone multiple renovations, in part so it may meet seismic requirements to serve in its capacity as an emergency shelter. It is critical that the structural integrity of this facility be maintained in order for it to function as a shelter in disaster response. And although the Recreation Center serves as a multi-purpose, multi-use facility for the current community, it is aging amenity that needs to adapt to the future needs of families to come.
It all started back in 2016 when conversations surrounding the Recreation Center were beginning to take shape. City Council authorized the Recreation Center Master Plan Study to evaluate the existing Recreation Center to determine whether a major roof project, broader renovation, or a complete rebuild would best meet the recreational needs of the Foster City community both now and in the years to come. This began the extensive public outreach efforts to gather input on the community’s facility needs and interests. Then the following year in 2017, the City Council took further steps to identify any issues and costs associated with constructing a new Recreation Center. Conceptual Design Plans were developed in 2018 by Burks Toma Architects and three preliminary conceptual designs were presented to the City Council. In addition to the public input received, these conceptual designs were based upon pre-design data consisting of the project climate and current facility trends, needs assessment, program fiscal viability and opportunities, and overall constraints of the site. In January 2019, the City Council selected its preferred concept, that being “Concept 3” – but this wasn’t to say without reservations. As the former liaison with Councilmember Mahanpour on the Recreation Center Master Plan Ad Hoc Council Subcommittee, I can say that the price tag of $71 million gave us all sticker shock.
This led us to where we are today. The current Recreation Center Master Plan Ad Hoc Council Subcommittee, consisting of Vice Mayor Perez and Councilmember Mahanpour, called for a study session so we may discuss our options (and perhaps find a more affordable and reasonable one) to move forward with on the Recreation Center. On April 29, 2019, this study session was held to discuss the options for either rehabilitation or replacement of the Recreation Center. Three options were presented to the City Council for discussion.
The first option proposed was for an entire roof replacement. The estimated costs associated with a roof replacement, including potential unforeseen damages beyond the roof repair scope of work, is $5-$10 million. Due to the uncertainty of this option, it was not the preferred alternative. Replacing the roof will only defer other required maintenance as the overall facility deteriorates over time. It would be a wiser use of funds to be proactive, and seek a longer-term solution by investing in our infrastructure now.
The second option proposed was “Concept 3” of the Conceptual Design Plan Report of the Recreation Center Master Plan (prepared by Burks Toma Architects), which reconstructs and improves the existing Recreation Center. The estimated costs associated with Concept 3 is a total $71 million ($54 million of which would be for a 51,000 square foot building and $17 million of which would be for outdoor park space improvements). Although this option has the potential to meet the growing needs of the community & future generations, with such a hefty price tag, the City Council acknowledged it would not be feasible today.
Finally, the third option proposed was a build-to-budget scenario for reconstruction of the existing Recreation Center. The estimated costs associated with a build-to-budget scenario would cap the proposed project at $35 million. Given this option is the most financially prudent, the City Council expressed an overall interest in going in this direction. However, with $35 million, the resultant building would be under 23,000 square feet – which is less than the current Recreation Center’s footprint of 36,000 square feet. The option would require the City to prioritize the spaces and classes/programs offered, based on the degree of use and demand. It should be noted that the current usable space in existing recreation center is only 18,000 square feet.
Based on the discussion at the study session, the City Council provided direction for staff to explore the build-to-budget scenario for a Recreation Center project between $35-$40 million; with $2 million towards an outdoor beer garden element. All other outdoor park improvements could instead be incorporated and phased through the capital improvement project budget. A critical part of this option is for the design to include future community needs for a recreation center where additional space could be added as the need arises and the financial situation allows. We will plan for the long term future needs and build for the current and foreseeable needs within a reasonable price tag.
Next steps include formally approving the creation of the a New Recreation Center Capital Improvement Project and analyzing/identifying potential funding sources for the Recreation Center, which will be discussed in further detail and decided on, at a future City Council meeting date. The architectural design process would be next in line, followed by construction. It is important to note though that the City Council will need to take formal action at each step before the project may move forward.
The Recreation Center project has reached a critical juncture; however, this is just the beginning of an extensive process. I see this as an exciting opportunity for us, as a community, to shape how we see recreation services will evolve and be provided in the foreseeable future. Please continue to stay engaged and share your comments and thoughts with me at shindi@fostercity.org.
