Grocery Store To Pickleball Courts: See Sketches Of Planned Recreation Center

EDGEWATER, MD — A gymnasium, pickleball courts and an indoor playground are expected to be key features at the forthcoming Edgewater Recreation Center.

Anne Arundel County on April 7 issued a request for proposals, asking for bids on converting a former grocery store into a community hub.

Submissions are due May 23. The county plans to select a contractor by June 6. The project is expected to begin July 1, and an estimated completion date should be announced by July 31.

Patch previously reported that the construction budget is expected to be $11.5 million.

The 5.39-acre property at 3130 Solomons Island Road used to be home to Giant Food, but the storefront has been mostly vacant since the supermarket moved down the street several years ago. A Halloween store has filled the vacancy in past autumns.

"The Edgewater Recreation and Community Center represents a significant step forward," Jessica Leys, director of the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks, said in a press release last Wednesday. "By transforming a long-vacant space, we are creating a dynamic hub for recreation, learning, and community interaction. This project is also a commitment to the future, prioritizing sustainability and resilience to ensure our public spaces endure and flourish for generations."

The county plans to renovate and expand the existing structure, which it bought in early 2024. The plans call for a nearly 750-square-foot addition, bringing the space to 45,763 square feet.

The gymnasium will feature a basketball court and a small set of bleachers. Eight pickleball courts are shown in the drawings.

The indoor playground would hold 75 children and have dimensions of 75 feet by 100 feet. There will be play equipment suitable for toddlers, young children and middle schoolers.

A dance studio, yoga room and gaming area are other highlights. Party, meeting and multi-purpose rooms are also in the works.

The plans emphasize that the space should be adaptable. A retractable stage is anticipated in the gym. Batting cages could drop down from the roof of the pickleball area, which could also have setups for bungee and aerial classes.

A skate park and an indoor pool were common suggestions that were not adopted. The pool would require too much retrofitting, and the county pivoted toward exploring other locations for a skate park in the Edgewater area.

Related: Secret Skate Park Demolished, Builders Turn Page In Anne Arundel County

The county wants the building to be eco-friendly and achieve a silver rating from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, also known as LEED.

The recreation center is being designed alongside the Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, an organization sponsoring sustainable infrastructure.

The Resilience Authority also asked for proposals to restore Jonas and Anne Catharine Green Park in Annapolis to fortify the space against sea level rise.

"Engaging with our Resilience Authority on these two projects will not only expedite their construction, but also ensure that they are done in a way that contributes to the environmental restoration of these sensitive sites," Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said in the release. "Our residents have asked for sustainable redevelopment of community spaces to promote health and wellness, and that’s what these projects deliver."

The full requests for proposals are posted here.

Related:

• New Recreation Center Timeline, Budget For Vacant Edgewater Store
• New Recreation Center: Pickleball, Ice Rink, Pool Suggested In Edgewater
• Vacant Store In Edgewater Sold To County, Recreation Center Planned