Baltimore County release

Randallstown Community Center Opens
Building Includes a Multi-Use Gymnasium and Aquatics Center

Randallstown, Md. (May 20, 2009) – Today, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, Delegate Adrienne Jones and Councilman Ken Oliver joined over 200 community members to celebrate the grand opening of the Randallstown Community Center at 3505 Resource Drive. The grand opening ceremony concluded with students from Windsor Mill Middle School and Randallstown High School who served as the “first splashers” into the center’s indoor pool.

Largest Community Center in Baltimore County

The 58,000 square foot center is the largest community center in Baltimore County. It houses a multi-purpose gymnasium that holds four basketball courts, two volleyball courts and a four-lane indoor track. The 25-meter, six lane indoor pool will be managed by the YMCA of Central Maryland. Other features of the center include a 300 seat performance hall with a stage and theater lighting, a tech center/computer room and activity room.

Background

“Six years ago, more than 400 Randallstown residents attended a public meeting to map out the future of their community. They identified a community center as a number one priority. This had to be a center that would enrich the lives of the young and old alike. One that would provide structure for children after school, give senior citizens the chance to be active in the heart of their community, and offer classes and technology training,” said Smith.

The idea to have a community center built originated in 2003 from community meetings that began with the Urban Design Assistance Team (UDAT). During the UDAT process, the Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation sponsored a public meeting to gather input on the proposed community center, and Councilman Ken Oliver established a standing committee to explore various programming and building options.

“Throughout the process, there was incredible community and government collaboration on many levels. State and federal participation were essential. And finally today, after six years of hard work, we celebrate all that investment and collaboration – this state of the art Community Center – designed, built, and programmed as the people of Randallstown envisioned,” said Oliver.

Funding

Total cost of the project was $13 million, including $2.9 million in state funding and a $400,000 federal grant, secured by Senator Barbara Mikulski, to fund the technology center/computer room.

The Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks will manage the building and programs.

The hours of operation for the Randallstown Community Center are:

* Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.,
* Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For information on the programs and activities to be held at the Randallstown Community Center, call 410-887-0698.

The YMCA of Central Maryland, who will bring 156 years of experience to the community, will manage and operate the swimming pool, officially known as the YMCA Aquatics Center at Randallstown. The YMCA will provide a wide variety of aquatic experiences for participants of all ages and swimming abilities.

Under an agreement with Baltimore County, the YMCA will open the aquatic center for community use (YMCA non-members) every Sunday year round from noon to 7 p.m., one evening per week from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the fall, winter and spring and one weekday per week from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the summer.

The following daily rates will apply for community use:

* $3 for children up to 11 years of age
* $7 for individuals 12 years and older
* $4 for seniors.

Six weeks in the summer, the YMCA will open the pool for the Recreation Council Camp. As part of the camp agreement, the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks will have summer use of the pool for two hours each weekday.

Water Exercise Program

The YMCA will conduct a seven week, two hours each week, water exercise program free to all County Senior Center members. The sessions will run on eight-week cycles (seven weeks of classes and one week break) throughout the year except for the last two weeks of December.

“We’re excited about this unique partnership with Baltimore County to provide this tremendous community asset to Randallstown residents,’ said YMCA of Central Maryland President and CEO John Hoey. “The YMCA has a long history of developing and delivering quality aquatics programs for people of every age and ability. We look forward to being able to fulfill our mission by helping the people of Randallstown reach their full potential in spirit, mind and body.”

The hours of operation for the YMCA Aquatics Center are:

* Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
* Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
* Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.

More Information

To celebrate the pool’s opening, the YMCA is offering free swimming May 20 through June 14. For membership information, visit the YMCA web site, visit the center in person.