The Aurora Residents for Recreation (ARR) conducted feasibility studies in 2010 for the recreational facilities required to meet community needs. These needs are identified in the 2009 Community Needs Assessment for recreation services and facilities, completed by the ARR in conjunction with the city of Aurora.
The feasibility studies for the seven recommended community recreation centers were conducted to address the location, components, costs, financing and construction of the facilities required to meet community needs. The original concept of building seven facilities was quickly replaced with a more economical solution to include three regional facilities: north, central and south.
Under the leadership of the ARR, project teams comprised of ARR members, volunteer residents, city of Aurora staff and outside consultants oversaw the feasibility studies. In order to meet the needs of northwest Aurora residents, a facility renovation of Moorhead Recreation Center was included in the recommendations to City Council. This would transform the 4,000 square foot Moorhead Recreation Center into a 30,000 square-foot neighborhood facility intended to meet community needs into the future.
The ARR collected over 8,500 valid signatures from registered Aurora voters to place a referendum on the November 2011 ballot. Aurora voters were given the opportunity to approve the much needed addition of the type of indoor recreation facility space that communities in the metro region and across Colorado have available for their residents.
Although Aurora voters did not approve the November 2011 ballot measure, the ARR is still hard at work to address the very clear deficit of recreational opportunites available here in Aurora.
The ARR continues to recruit residents and community partners to contribute to the efforts that are critical to the successful implementation of community recreation center solutions that will meet residents’ needs.
For more information and to get involved in this work, click on the “contacts” tab and send an email or call one of the listed contacts.
The ARR appreciates the effort put in by its members, the time and interest invested by the residents, and the many supportive partners along the way.