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The Mount Vernon Recreation Center welcomed the public back June 9 after being closed for renovations since December 2022, unveiling the first phase of a major expansion that will continue opening throughout the summer.
Local officials marked the “soft opening” with a ribbon-cutting ceremony as visitors explored the renovated 139,000-square-foot facility. The $41 million project added 75,000 square feet.
Once completed, the center will feature two National Hockey League-sized ice rinks, an Olympic-size swimming pool, an elevated indoor track, a fitness area, a two-story climbing wall and multipurpose rooms.
Linwood Gorham, Mount Vernon’s representative on the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, said the long-awaited reopening was a welcome milestone.
New Space for Fitness and Hockey
The center is Fairfax County’s only public ice-skating facility, making its reopening especially important for local skaters and hockey teams.
Resident Aimee Spencer, a longtime supporter of the Northern Virginia Ice Dogs youth hockey organization, said the expanded facility will give teams a place to practice and hold competitive games. She has promoted “hockey for everyone” for eight years.
Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole said the public facility could make skating and hockey—often expensive sports—more affordable and accessible. The center offers public skating sessions, lessons, skate rentals and sharpening services.
Visitors began using the fitness center shortly after the doors opened at 7 a.m. The facility includes aerobic and resistance equipment, a weight room, yoga and Pilates programs.
Its climbing area features a two-story artificial rock wall with automatic belay systems and bouldering sections. Summer camps will provide arts and crafts, performing arts, sports and other activities.
The original recreation center was built in 1979, and its pool was added in 1983. In addition to expanding the building, the project upgraded its mechanical systems and brought more natural light inside.
Grounds and Water Systems Upgraded
Renovations extended beyond the building. New landscaping includes American holly, Eastern red cedar, southern magnolia, red maple, swamp white oak, pinxterbloom azalea, red chokeberry and arrowwood viburnum.
All but the southern magnolia are indigenous to Fairfax County, according to Park Authority Communications Division Director Daidria Grayson. The magnolia has become naturalized in Virginia, and none of the selected plants have invasive tendencies.
Pool water will drain into the sanitary sewer rather than the stormwater system, keeping it from flowing into nearby streams. Rainwater will be collected through storm inlets and routed into two underground tanks, then released slowly into an existing storm sewer to reduce downstream surges and erosion.
More Amenities Coming This Summer
The recreation center’s remaining features will open in stages. Summer camps begin June 16, followed by the climbing wall and drop-in childcare for patrons on June 23.
The renovated pool is expected to open later in the summer. A community grand-opening celebration is planned for August.
Guided tours for groups of 12 will be offered at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. through June 20. New members can receive 25% off memberships through Aug. 31, with access included to all Fairfax County Park Authority recreation centers.