By Mike McKibbin / NewsBreak Denver / Oct. 20, 2022
[CASTLE ROCK, COLO.] — A third recreation center in Castle Rock moved a step closer Tuesday night with the town council's approval.
The council earlier this year discussed a proposed indoor town sports development center as part of the Brickyard mixed-use residential and commercial project planned for the former Acme Brick facility on Prairie Hawk Drive.
Council approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding with CD-Acme LLC/Confluence Cos., which built the downtown Riverwalk and Encore developments.
Council also authorized a $577,000 agreement with architectural firm Barker Rinker Seacat to complete a schematic design for the proposed facility.
The memorandum of understanding does not have a cost estimate.
Courts, pool, track, other features
The proposed sports development center would feature a 132,000-square-foot facility with a future 50,000-square-foot addition. It would include five hard courts for basketball, pickleball and volleyball, with two more possible in the future.
Other amenities include a large weight and fitness space, an indoor adventure track, two to four fitness rooms, large event and other gathering areas, party and therapy rooms, and support space.
An aquatics area would include a 25-yard-by-25-meter swimming pool with spectator seating and a warm-up pool.
The town must rezone the land for the Brickyard project to move forward. Confluence Cos. is pursuing that action.
If approved, a lease agreement for the sports development center – with full financial details – and an agreement to finalize the center's design would be presented to the town council.
Land donation, town lease
Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Brauer said Barker Rinker Seacat was hired to conduct a feasibility study. It found the town could afford to build and operate a third recreation facility in Castle Rock. The others are the Castle Rock Community Center and the Miller Activity Center complex.
An online survey found over 75% support for the Brickyard center and proposed amenities, Brauer told the council.
As part of the overall Brickyard project rezoning, Confluence Cos. will be required to donate 11 acres for the center, he noted.
"Then the town would lease the center back to Confluence but the town would control its operation and make lease payments until the debt is retired," Brauer said.
He added that Confluence would then dedicate the center to the town for continued operation.
Cost estimate rises, still affordable
The town hopes to use financing methods such as an urban renewal authority and certificates of participation to help pay for the center's construction.
Brauer estimated the town could build the first phase for $63 million to $67 million. He said that is up from an earlier $40 million to $45 million estimate due to prices, inflation and other factors.
Town Manager David Corliss stated the agreement should save the town money.
"There is a lot of grading, utilities and road work that the town will benefit from," he said. "The town will have contracts with the architects and the owner representatives to help look out for our interests. At the end of the day, we should have better costing and coordination compared to having to work with different contractors on a public and private development where you can have any number of different disputes."
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