Cottonwood Heights Rec Center celebrates renovations

The entryway is bigger and brighter, the new roof is up, and the indoor pool is ready once again for swimmers. After a seven-month renovation, the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center welcomed back guests with a grand re-opening celebration on Dec. 14.

Celebration attendees were treated to guided tours, a swimming exhibition, ribbon-cutting ceremony and open swim time in the newly finished pool.

Thanks to a bond passed in June 2010, funds were received to update parts of the building. Construction began in May 2011 and was completed in December.

“What we really tried to do is maximize the money, to really get the most we could out of the improvements,” said Mike Peterson, Director at Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center.

Perhaps the biggest difference is the indoor pool area. The old roof was taken off and replaced with a brand new one, seven feet higher than the original. Not only did this provide the facility with safe structural improvements, it allowed more natural light into the pool, creating a much brighter swimming space. Original windows near the pool were replaced with double-paned insulated windows and a row of smaller windows was added at top near the new roof line.

Another noticeable difference can be seen as soon as one walks into the center. A new east entrance was created with a spacious hallway for patron use. The previous entry way located near the outdoor pool will be incorporated into a new deck area for outdoor swimmers.

Other updates include enclosed racquetball courts along the new hallway, and slight modifications to the spin cycling and aerobics rooms. 

“We’re thrilled to have it done, to get the swimmers back in the building and to extend the life of the pool for another three decades. We want to encourage residents to come take a look at what we’ve done, go on a tour to see what’s new,” Peterson said.

In addition to the most recent updates, the outdoor pool is now going through its own renovation. It will reopen in May.