A ceremonial group cannonball dive marked the opening of the pool at the new Fitzmorris Recreation Center.
The 8,500 square-foot recreation center and pool, located at 6340 Independence St. adjacent to Fitzmorris Elementary School, represents a long-term partnership of three entities: the Apex Parks and Recreation District, the city of Arvada, and Jefferson County Public Schools.
“We thank the community, our partners, and the voters for their dedication, support and sustained effort to make Fitzmorris a reality,” said Vicki Pyne, vice president of the Apex Park and Recreation District Board of Directors at the June 23 grand opening.
Apex placed the Fitzmorris project on the May 2016 ballot, and voters approved a bond issue to build this facility along with five other projects. The city of Arvada contributed over $3 million towards the facility, and Jeffco Public Schools shared the land to become an integral part of the Fitzmorris Elementary School campus.
“Because of that deep community collaboration, today we have a model of efficiency and partnership in the region — one we haven’t seen in a very long time,” said Lauri Dannemiller, executive director of Apex PRD. “The health of a community is often measured by access and we’re so lucky that this is a neighborhood recreation center that can be accessed so quickly.”
Before the partnership came into being, the community provided the initial spark of energy, enthusiasm and devotion.
“The neighborhood really provided the motivation to get this across the finish line,” said Jeffco Board of Education member Brad Rupert. “This is going to be around a long, long time.”
The community had called for a replacement of the Fisher Pool. Fisher Pool opened in the Ralston neighborhood in 1958 and closed in 2005 after a bond measure to cover increased maintenance costs failed. Two more bonds failed in 2006 and the pool was demolished in 2008.
Arvada City Councilman John Marriott recounted summers riding his bike to Fisher Pool as a child.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am of everyone involved in this,” he said at the June 23 grand opening of the Fitzmorris Recreation Center. “The partnerships are what makes this such a special place.”
Operating hours at the Fitzmorris Recreation Center are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Open swim hours at the pool are noon to 6 p.m. daily, weather permitting.
