More about the combination of renovations and new construction on tap for the Ridge Road Recreation Center, located at 801 Ridge Road SE, was revealed last month.
More than 60 residents, including members of the Benning Ridge Civic Association, met last month with city officials to hear about and comment on the Ridge Road Recreation Center Modernization project.
Its focal point is a new, 22,000-square-foot main recreation facility which will pursue LEED Gold certification, coupled with extensive enhancements to the current one and adjacent sports fields.
Demolition of some existing facilities is slated to begin this winter, with construction targeted for this spring and conclude in summer 2015, says Darrell Pressley, a spokesman with DC’s Department of General Services. DGS and DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation are jointly overseeing the project.
The project’s contractor is
Tompkins Builders on H Street NW, whose past projects have included the
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Its architect is
Cox Graae + Spack, based in Georgetown.
Among the improvements: a new tot lot as well as a new playground for older children. Exterior enhancements to the basketball court, landscaping and outdoor lighting for the facility’s sports fields are also being planned.
The current rec center will likely be converted to storage for field equipment and restrooms. Updates to the existing pool house are also in the works, Pressley says.
Additional community meetings will be scheduled as the project progresses, he adds.