The Waterford Recreation Center in Oakland County is permanently closing earlier than expected due to “catastrophic mechanical problems.” judging by the city.
The center, located at 5640 Williams Lake Road, was expected to close in January 2026 after the Waterford Township Board of Trustees decided in October that safety concerns and rising costs of major needed repairs to the building were unacceptable.financially responsible“
A release from the Waterford Parks and Recreation Department on Friday, November 28, said: an unexpected failure in the boiler system leads to premature closure of the building.
“This issue has made it impossible to maintain a safe and comfortable temperature inside the facility during the current cold weather,” the report said. “Because indoor temperatures cannot be maintained properly, the facility cannot safely support the daily activities of staff, seniors, or community members.”
The building has had historical and emotional significance for the people of Waterford since 1947. According to the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Programs outside the recreation center have already begun moving to the Leggett Waterford Campus, also known as the Waterford Senior Center, at 3621 Pontiac Lake Road, and other township facilities, according to the department.
Adult volleyball, youth volleyball, pickleball, shuffleboard and outdoor indoor basketball are canceled until January 2026, according to the Parks and Recreation Department. Many other recreational programs are scheduled to resume the week of December 8 at the Leggett Campus.
Participants who prepaid for canceled programs will receive a refund. Participants in programs that had already started but are now canceled will receive a prorated refund, according to the Parks and Recreation Department.
“The Department of Parks and Recreation appreciates the community's patience and understanding as we work through this unplanned early closure and continue our commitment to providing high-quality programs and services to Waterford residents,” the statement said.
The Parks and Recreation Department is working to communicate with instructors and participants regarding the closure, according to the release. The office will reopen on Monday, December 1st. Questions about programming can be directed by phone at 248-674-5441 or by email. [email protected].
In 2024, Waterford Township voters narrowly approved (19,230 votes to 18,651 votes) a $36.4 million, 21-year bond to purchase 51 acres of land on the former Oakland Community College campus in Highland. The Oakland Press reported this..
The long-term plan for a new Waterford Community Center remains on track, according to the Waterford Parks and Recreation Department. Programs from the now-closed Recreation Center and Leggett Campus will eventually be consolidated into a new community center scheduled to open in January 2028.
Contact Natalie Davis at [email protected].
This article originally appeared in the Detroit Free Press: Waterford Leisure Center closes permanently earlier than expected
