Ridgefield’s long-awaited Community and Recreation Center project advanced another step Thursday, Dec. 4, as the City Council reviewed a comprehensive interior design update and received a construction timeline briefing. The project remains on time and on budget, with construction scheduled to begin in June 2026.
The project has been in the making for nearly a decade. A 2016 market study showed that Ridgefield residents had one of the highest levels of interest nationally in a YMCA facility. The building site is located on North 50th Place, north of Pioneer Street.
In August, the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette, which would have operated the recreation portion of the facility, informed the city of Ridgefield that it would withdraw as a project partner. The city quickly affirmed it would move forward with the project regardless.
Representatives from Aetta, the city’s design partner, presented updated renderings of exterior and interior spaces, focusing heavily on flooring, acoustics, lighting, fitness areas, the gymnasium, teen room, a kids’ zone, auditorium, sauna and bathroom finishes.
Designers walked the council through the revised palette, noting adjustments to carpet, LVT and turf surfaces. The discussion included durability under heavy equipment, variations in brightness under different lighting conditions and options for adjusting accent colors.
Compared to a June presentation this year, councilors showed more alignment with the updated renderings.
The design’s new external rendering shows horizontal bricks of orange varieties, black window panels and vertical metal materials to give the design some variation. Presenters from Aetta sought feedback on the render’s west side of the building, which included green walls.
While Councilor Rian Davis said he preferred a blue hue more in line with the city, more councilors sided with the green design.
“I am absolutely loving the rendering I’m looking at on the screen right now,” Councilor Clyde Burkle said. “I think it represents Ridgefield the way I would want it to represent the city. I think it’s absolutely perfect.”
Conceptual designs of the interior show blues, oranges and some green accents on walls and some furniture. The council was presented with two flooring options for the community center; luxury vinyl tile flooring (LVT) or carpet, with blue and green accents. The latter received more support from councilors due to concerns about acoustic noise from LVT.
Ridgefield Mayor Matt Cole expressed interest in replacing green accents with an orange tone more consistent with the city’s artwork and existing patterns. Designers confirmed that the swap is feasible.
“I'm not super wild about the green,” Mayor Cole said. “The only thing I would say, and I'd leave it up to the professionals, but … I would probably swap out the green for the orange, but other than that I really love everything you put together.”
Bathroom finishes, including white tile flooring and a blue tile feature wall used in showers and water walls, also drew positive feedback.
When shown lighting options, the council quickly aligned around a raised ceiling with acoustic treatments and softer, warmer fixtures, steering away from office-style linear lighting. Designers confirmed all options are dimmable.
The updated designs, which feature warmer tones and more intentional acoustic panels, earned unanimous council support.
Renderings of the fitness center’s “cardio district,” track and gym drew particularly positive reactions.
It’s fantastic,” Councilor Rian Davis said. “One thing I would say … I would love to see Carti the Crane there at the half-court.”
Bluerock Ventures, Ridgefield’s public-private partner, presented a timeline confirming the project remains on track. Permitting is scheduled January through March next year, with a contractor expected to be selected in April. Construction is planned for June or July 2026 and is expected to last about 16 months. Project partners are still seeking sponsors, donors and a new operator for the recreation facility to offset construction costs. The latest cost estimate is $35 million. The City has dedicated $15 million for the project.
The recreation center’s current design includes three youth-sized full basketball courts, fitness rooms for cardio and weight exercises, a child watch zone, locker rooms and a track overlooking the courts. The natatorium will feature a six-lane cold-water lap pool and a zero-entry warm-water pool, ideal for swim lessons and family use. Both pools will be accessible, with lifts and wheelchair-accessible spaces. The community center’s design includes a lounge, teen gaming center, locker rooms, community spaces to rent and a kitchen.
Residents will be able to review the updated designs during a public meeting on Dec. 15, 2025, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. through Zoom. More details are available at shorturl.at/Ejv3u.
