The Salinas City Council unanimously approved 6-0, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the acceptance of the Sherwood Recreation Center Building Improvement project.
The center is located on the Sherwood Park grounds at 940 N. Main Street— it was originally an old municipal swimming pool building dating back to 1949. The facility underwent a major transformation starting this year, turning it into a vibrant multi-use recreational center.
“We can see a variety of health, fitness programs for seniors, youth, and adults. We look forward to having an open gym,” said Kristan Lundquist, director of Libraries and Community Services. “As you may be aware, the Salinas Recreation Center is the city's only owned gymnasium, and it's not even a full-size regulation gym, so we're excited to have this facility open to the public soon.”
Funded entirely through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the $2.98 million renovation reflects the City’s dedication to addressing community needs identified in its 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan. The project sought to expand recreational opportunities by providing spaces for sports such as basketball and volleyball, exercise classes tailored for adults and seniors, small community meetings, and open gym sessions.
The contract, awarded to Precision Construction Services, originally budgeted at $2.23 million, saw an increase due to 34 change orders totaling nearly $750,000. These modifications include critical updates like soil stabilization, electrical rerouting, structural reinforcements, and installation of solar lighting, ensuring the building meets modern safety and functionality standards.
The City plans to enhance the center's visibility by updating the community signage in early 2027, further integrating it into the fabric of local life.
“There are a couple of items that we're still working on. We need to do termite fumigation and there's a few windows that need to be replaced as well,” Lundquist added. “We're also working on refurbishing the monument sign that's out front.”