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Employees with the Provo Parks and Recreation Department recently celebrated the Provo Recreation Center's 10th anniversary.

Courtesy Provo City

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Scott Henderson, Provo Parks and Recreation director, and Doug Robins, assistant director, hold the gold medal after being recognized for the No. 1 recreation center in the nation by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.

Courtesy Provo City

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Provo is marking the 10th anniversary of its modernized recreation center and residents are encouraged to join in the celebration all week long.

A lot has changed along 500 North between Freedom Boulevard and 500 West in the past 10 years. From old buildings that housed the Eldred Senior Center, Boy Scouts of America National Parks Council and the Women’s Center to a new location for the previously named No. 1 rec center in the nation.

“The more than 1.8 million annual visitors to the Provo Recreation Center may not remember that just 10 years ago, Provo was operating recreation in a part-time, shared facility with the Provo School District. What a difference a decade can make,” said Nicole Martin, city spokeswoman.

Citizens overwhelmingly supported the $39 million center with its 162,000 square feet of recreation space.

“Our inadequate recreation facilities made it impossible for us to positively contribute to our community’s quality of life,” said Scott Henderson, Provo City Parks and Recreation director. “The unmet need was proven when we had 25,000 members sign up immediately.”

This success was a key reason in Provo Parks and Recreation being named best in the nation. Provo City brought home the grand plaque after winning the 2021 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in park and recreation management from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association.

“The judges were impressed with our well-balanced and diverse physical resources, including our recreation center, performing arts facility, parks, golf course, ice rink and programs,” Henderson said. “Not surprisingly, though, it was Provo’s community engagement and support that was and will always be a key factor in our success.”

The Provo Recreation Center was built to grow with the community while providing a wide array of services. The center includes child care and a senior center. The indoor swimming pools include a lazy river, a tree house fort for kids, both indoor and outdoor water slides, and a rock wall with cliff diving. Those using the second floor fitness facility can view the action happening on the lower basketball and racquetball courts.

“It’s gratifying to see the positive impact our health focus has had on our community,” said Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. “Ten years later, we continue protecting their investment by adding new amenities and preserving our existing facilities with a ‘new forever’ maintenance attitude.”

“In 10 years, we have entirely changed the paradigm of community health — and that success is addictive,” Henderson said. “We operate under the principle that our citizens deserve the best in facilities and service. We work every day to deliver on that customer service concept.”

Weeklong activities include:

• Tuesday — Author meet and great at 2:30 p.m.; diamond dive at 4 p.m.
• Wednesday — Free root beer floats in a Rec Center cup at 3 p.m.; Foam Spectacular at 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday — Senior paint-along at 1:30 p.m.; free birthday cake from 5-7 p.m.; cake eating competition at 6 p.m.
• Friday — Fitness extravaganza at 6 a.m.; free popcorn at 2 p.m.; cannonball competition at 4 p.m.
• Saturday — Pickleball tournament at 8 a.m.; local vendor and children entrepreneur markets from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Child Watch meet and greet from 1:30-2:30 p.m.