Rockingham County Supervisors considered some startling expansion plans for Rockingham Park in their budget process in May—a recreation center and amphitheater.
Both projects were initially included in the Capital Improvement Plan that outlays potential projects five years in advance in order to inform the board’s current budget decisions. The board’s vote on the budget would have put in place plans for funding both parts of the expansion, the recreation Center in 2024 and the amphitheater in 2028.
Thankfully, after the public expressed concern with the size and scope of both projects, supervisors opted to remove the amphitheater project from the budget, but the recreation center project remains.
Both proposals include expansive parking new lots, would increase traffic in an already congested part of the county, and are not in keeping with the park’s purpose to ‘to protect this area as perpetual green space, providing a buffer between development along the Spotswood Trail corridor and the farming community in the Keezletown area.’
We’re tracking design and construction plans for the recreation center and will be in touch with any opportunity for the public to weigh in.
Plan Details
Recreation Center
From the county’s website: The optimal Recreation Center will be approximately 50,000+/- square foot facility. It will include four (4) basketball courts, elevated running track, dance/fitness room, multi-purpose room, kitchenette, kids zone, locker rooms and ample parking.
Amphitheater
From the county’s website: The Amphitheater will be a covered stage featuring low walls and flexible seating. The optimal sloped tiered seating has the capacity to hold 3500 to 4000 spectators with handicapped seating available. The Amphitheater is adjacent to an open play area, pavilion, playground and a splash pad.