Coming Fall 2025
GRCC Ford Rec Center
December 2023 update
In December 2023, the Ford Fieldhouse pool closed and was retired after 50 years of providing aquatic opportunities for GRCC students, employees and the community.
After much heartache, research and discussion, college leadership determined costly repairs and renovations that would be needed to keep the pool operational were cost prohibitive. After all, years ago the college retired its swimming and diving teams, and the pool has been largely unused since, although some health club members were faithful swimmers until the end.
Most college athletic teams play outside, and that’s the case at GRCC. Also, the college introduced mens and womens soccer in 2023. A transformation of the pool into an auxiliary gym, as the master plan champions, was now being considered!
College Leadership formed a stakeholder committee to explore new possibilities for the space. The stakeholder committee includes GRCC employees from various departments across campus, and includes student representation as well.
The architect firm for the project, GMB, and the Construction Management firm, Christman, are also part of the committee. Their role is to help facilitate discussion, provide drawings of the design concept and estimate costs to keep the project within the budget and on schedule.
The committee’s innovative and creative ideas led to the development of the current concept for the Ford Rec Center. The new Rec Center will provide a wide range of opportunities for GRCC students, faculty, staff and the community.
It will include an indoor walking path, new locker rooms, a fitness center (cardio/weights), a nutrition center, a multipurpose gym, study nooks and collaboration space.
An Open House on April 17 gave students a sneak peek of the drawings and interior finishes for the new space. The response from the attendees was positive. Excitement for the project is building!
The new Ford Rec Center will become a reality in the Fall of 2025!
Project floor plans
Ground floor
First floor
Second floor
Third floor
