Building the Future

By Becky Grubb, Communications Manager, South Suburban Parks and Recreation

The south Denver metro area population has continued to steadily grow, and South Suburban Park and Recreation District (SSPRD) is doing its part to meet the needs of the

changing community. A new, 206,000 square foot sports complex is set to open in January 2021 after SSPR’s 2017 Master Plan outlined the desire for more indoor recreational amenities, including more sheets of ice, and indoor courts and fields. South Suburban is a special district that encompasses 46 square miles. Currently it serves approximately 160,000 residents in six cities and towns throughout Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties in Colorado. “We recognized a need in our community to provide first-class, indoor recreation facilities,” said SSPRD Executive Director Rob Hanna. “We’ve made a commitment to our patrons to provide the best in recreation and replace aging facilities like the 52-year old South Suburban Ice Arena. The new regional sports complex will provide more opportunities for ice sports and drop-in activities such as Pickleball, basketball, lacrosse and soccer.” In November 2017, South Suburban took a ballot initiative to the voters. The issue asked voters to allow SSPRD to increase its debt to improve trail connectivity, as well as fund water and energy efficiencies and improve and repair recreation facilities for seniors, families, and children; build a new indoor multigenerational facility, and renovate and upgrade existing playgrounds and parks. The public, recognizing the importance of community investment and upgraded facilities, passed the measure. “We created a Gold Medal Committee, which was a citizen’s forum to discuss community needs and requests from South Suburban,” said John Ostermiller, South Suburban Board Chair from 2012-2018. “We learned that there was a strong interest in more ice time and additional turf fields. That feedback gave us confidence that voters would support a bond issue to

increase the borrowing capacity, while not raising taxes. The response was very positive – we received more than a 70% favorable vote.”

Plans immediately started for the regional facility located in the heart of the District in south metro Denver. The facility will replace the aging South Suburban Ice Arena and the current administration offices. The project enlisted the architecture firm of Perkins + Will, and Adolfson & Peterson Construction, and broke ground on May 14, 2019. The state-of-the-art complex is ADA compliant and boasts energy efficient lighting, plumbing and mechanical equipment. SSPRD also worked within Xcel Energy’s design assistance program to ensure equipment is being used as efficiently as possible. “Our community spoke, and we listened,” said South Suburban Board Chair Susan Pye. “This is a unique facility that allows South Suburban to expand its recreation programs, leagues and classes to athletes of all ages and abilities.”

The new regional complex features:

• Three sheets of ice, including a center ice sheet with five locker rooms and seating for 800 spectators; a second sheet with five locker rooms and seating for 220 spectators; a third sheet with 5 locker rooms • Gymnasium that can be divided into 2 full size basketball courts, 4 junior basketball courts, 4 volleyball courts or 8 Pickleball courts • Two indoor synthetic turf fields with

Dasherboard systems • Restaurant and bar with views overlooking the ice sheets • Figure skating room • Dryland training room (off-ice training area) – springboard floor, mirrors, ballet bar • Skate rental • Concession Stands • Pro Shop • Party rooms • Administrative offices and board room that also serves as a rental space for other activities “We’re excited at the opportunity to grow our recreational skating programs with three available sheets of ice, “said South Suburban General Manger of Ice Bill Dobbs. “We currently have the largest skating program in the region but we are always looking to expand. We are working with USA Hockey on a grow-the-game pilot program, where skaters can try hockey for free. The goal is to make the sport accessible for everyone at a grass roots level.”

South Suburban expects to reach more than 300,000 participants and spectators in the building annually. The sports complex is located at 4810 East County Line Road, just north of C-470 in unincorporated Douglas County. Additionally, there is easy pedestrian access from the C-470 and Centennial Trail Systems. To learn more about the South Suburban Sports Complex, visit ssprd.org/sportscomplex.