Colleyville Recreation Center

Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting

Tuesday, August 27
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Colleyville Recreation Center
5008 Roberts Road

Join us for the Grand Opening of the Recreation Center! The facility features a newly renovated gymnasium, 7 multi-purpose classrooms, and a game room. The back section of the building is currently undergoing renovations to add another gymnasium. 

View Sneak Peek of Transformation

May 4, 2024 Recreation Center Referendum FAQs

View Recreation Center Referendum FAQs.

On Saturday, May 4, Colleyville voters approved referendum Question A related to expansion of the Recreation Center. Of the 5,136 voters, 74% said yes. Based on these results, the City will undergo a process to evaluate the expansion that includes four elements: fitness center, locker room, indoor track, and multi-purpose fields. Staff has begun meeting and interviewing architects to help master plan the site, create concepts, and estimate the cost to expand (both capital and operations). The City Council will then consider adding a question to the May 2025 ballot asking voters if they approve of the expansion to include the issuance of debt to fund the project. 

Q&A

Where is the property the City purchased?

5008 Roberts Road, just off of Glade on the eastern side of Colleyville

Why does Colleyville need this property?

The City of Colleyville offers a full slate of recreation programming for all ages, without the City owning a single gymnasium. The Parks & Recreation department coordinates programs like volleyball and basketball with GCISD and occasionally with local churches to borrow their gym space. Unfortunately this means that programs are constrained by the amount of space that can be borrowed. This coordination effort has been further complicated in recent years as school safety has been in the forefront of everyone’s minds. The schools understandably are tightening up their security protocols making gym use difficult. City owned gym space is needed to be able to continue offering and growing recreation programs. The significant growing demand for indoor pickle ball courts is creating additional demand for gym space as well. We appreciate GCISD allowing Colleyville to use their facilities for so many years and the growth of our recreation programs would not have been possible without their partnership.

How did the property purchase come about?

Covenant Church approached the City a few months ago to share their desire to sell their property in Colleyville and the hope that the City would be interested in purchasing it for use as a Rec Center. This was a total surprise. City leadership agreed to take a tour of the property.

What does the property and building include?

The almost 15 acre property includes approximately 10 acres of vacant land (open space), a primary structure, and a secondary smaller building (42,000 sq. ft. total under roof). The main worship room in the primary building was actually set up originally as a full size gymnasium, with the ceilings rigged up for basketball hoops. In addition to the main room that can be converted into a full gym with two courts, the building contains 10 classrooms, several flexible use rooms, a full kitchen, and another small gymnasium. One of the flexible use rooms adjacent to the small gym could be converted into an additional small gym. The entire building has been well maintained and has attractive updates throughout.

How does this address priorities from the Parks Master Plan and last Citizen Survey?

The 2018 Parks & Open Space Master Plan had dozens of references to the need for indoor gym space and consideration of a recreation center. It also prioritized open space, and the need for park and recreation facilities on the east side of town. Based on the needs and priorities outlined in the Parks & Rec Master Plan, questions were included in the 2019 Citizen Survey about a Recreation Center and/or renovations to the Senior Center. At that time, the community desire was focused on renovating the Senior Center, which is now underway. There was interest in a Recreation Center, but not at the cost of $60+ Million for a full scale new facility. Concerns about not wanting to compete with Lifetime Fitness were also shared.

How much did this cost?

The City has obtained an appraisal which values the building and land at $10.3 Million. We have purchased the building and land for $8.5 Million. We plan on upgrading the facility at a cost of $1.5 Million.

How will the facility be used?

The indoor and outdoor space is ideal for recreation programs and leagues. It doesn’t have aquatics or a fitness center with workout equipment, nor is the City looking to add those elements. The purchase will complement the improvements being made at the Senior Center, while allowing seniors to have their own dedicated space.

How was it paid for?

The purchase was funded with Certificates of Obligation (C.O.s). This debt instrument, similar to a mortgage, is repaid through the debt portion of the City’s tax rate, also known as the Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate. For the average homeowner in Colleyville, that comes out to about $20 a year. The City could have paid cash for the property, but felt that it was financially prudent to maintain liquidity for other priorities that may arise and to be prepared for a potential economic downturn.

A notification of intention to issue Certificates of Obligations was published in the newspaper and posted September 22 on the City's website. There were two public hearings with opportunity for public comments at the November 1 and 15 City Council meetings. The projected debt schedule is for a 20 year period. However,  this debt will be callable meaning the city will be able to pay off the entirety of the C.O.s after 7 years if desired.

Why were TIF funds not used to fund the purchase?

While a portion of this purchase is eligible for use of TIF funds, it would not be appropriate to fund the entire purchase from the TIF as the property is not located wholly within the TIF district boundaries.  Further, TIF dollars may only be spent on specific categories of purchases outlined in the TIF project plan. An example of a TIF eligible project is the SH26 reconstruction and beautification project.  

Will there be improvements made to Roberts Road as part of this purchase?

The City has been working on plans to improve Roberts Road, which is at 90% design. We plan to bid the project Fall 2022. Plans include mill and overlay of the existing roadway, which will add one foot on each side for a total of 22-feet, upsizing the water line, adding a water line interconnect with Grapevine, as well as adding a right turn lane from Glade onto Roberts and a right turn lane from Roberts onto Glade.

Why was information not shared about the purchase in advance?

When the church initially approach the City about their property, they requested confidentiality until everyone understood if the purchase was something to seriously consider. Further, property purchases must be handled in executive session and cannot legally be discussed in public until the Council takes formal action in a public meeting. We now will undertake multiple steps via public process to complete the purchase of the property. 

Check out these video updates!  

December 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ_rKQWbug8

March 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTlO6dyv2w8&t=1s

August 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0CrqaBHJ5U