The demolition of Bow Creek Recreation Center, located at 3427 Clubhouse Road, will begin the week of December 17, 2012, slightly ahead of schedule. Construction of the new recreation center will begin the spring of 2013. The Bow Creek Golf Course will remain open and available for play during the recreation center demolition and construction. The new Bow Creek Recreation Center is scheduled to open to the public in the fall of 2014.

The majority of Bow Creek Recreation Center is more than 50 years old. Originally constructed in the 1960s as a club house for a private country club and golf course, the city acquired the property in 1975. At that time, the golf course was opened to the public, and the club house was converted into a recreation center. In 1991, the outdoor pool was enclosed for year-round use, and the facility was expanded to 36,782 square feet to incorporate an indoor gymnasium and locker rooms. The decision to modernize was based on increased recreation center utilization and a 2009 condition assessment study that rated the overall condition as “poor.”

The new energy efficient Bow Creek Recreation Center will be 67,743 square feet. It will house an indoor swimming pool with play components and four 25-yard lap lanes; a 2-court indoor gymnasium; expanded fitness areas; locker rooms with family changing areas; a youth game room; early childhood care rooms with a playground; and meeting rooms. Stormwater management systems on the property will be improved to help control flooding and improve water quality. 

The golf pro shop and cart storage will no longer share building space within the recreation center. The new, permanent cart storage facility has been erected. A temporary golf pro shop has been installed, and a new, permanent golf pro shop will be built. There will also be some improvements made to the golf course driving range. The Bow Creek Golf Course will remain open and available for play during the recreation center demolition and construction.

Citizens are reminded that all other Virginia Beach community recreation centers remain open during this time as well, including the newly opened Williams Farm Recreation Center located at 5252 Learning Circle.

For more information about the new Bow Creek Recreation Center, contact Barbara Duke at (757) 385-4310 or email BDuke@VBgov.com. Status updates and more detailed plans will be posted to www.VBgov.com/bowcreek as they become available.

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