The long-awaited Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center held its opening ceremony on Saturday and featured remarks from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Andrew Friedson, among others.
The four-floor, 120,000-square-foot building features a variety of recreation activities, including a gymnasium, fitness center, exercise and dance studios, multiple pools and much more. It also has amenities such as a teaching kitchen, café, conference rooms and other public use spaces.
“I’m really proud to be able to get this across the finish line. I’m really proud of everybody who was part of this in the community,” Elrich said. “As somebody who grew up here, you can see the difference… it’s nice to have a facility like this in Silver Spring.”
The center is unique and the first of its kind in Montgomery County, according to a press release from Montgomery County Government. Combining a pool, fitness center, gym and a variety of other community spaces into one building was a challenge.
“It is an amazing day in Montgomery County, and I’m just so excited to be here,” Friedson said. “We are standing in the active, healthy, beating heart of Silver Spring, of this part of the county. That is not by accident, that is not by chance, it’s by choice and it’s because of leadership.”
Silver Spring resident Labane Olds has been looking forward to the grand opening. She believes it will be beneficial to the community, specifically seniors and children. For some residents, it’s difficult to commute to other recreation centers, so she said this center will make it easier.
“I’m for that,” Olds said. “I’m for people having someplace to go where they can hopefully have some art programs or other things they can do.”
Beyond recreation, the center seeks to promote all types of healthy living. It will house Holy Cross Health Partners at Elizabeth Square on the building’s second floor. Primary medical care, health education and fitness programs will be available.
The center is now open to the public with a variety of programming available for free to Montogomery County residents. However, pool access and some classes have a fee or require a paid membership.
March’s activity calendar is prepared with programs for all ages, including basketball, badminton, volleyball, pickleball and so much more. County residents can sign up for a free pass to access fitness rooms, open gym drop-in activities and game rooms.
Photo by Caroline Pecora