New Recreation Center Opens In Baltimore County With Gym, Aviation History Theme

Press release from Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski:

August 7, 2024

MIDDLE RIVER, MD — Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, the Department of Recreation and Parks, and additional state and local officials today celebrated the opening of the new Middle River Recreation Activity Center (RAC). The 15,000 square-foot facility, located alongside Glenmar Elementary School and in close proximity to Martin State Airport’s Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum in eastern Baltimore County, will focus on recreational, social and wellness opportunities for residents of all ages and feature flight-and-aeronautics-themed programming.

“Every community deserves safe, fun, and high-quality recreational opportunities that encourage our residents to play, compete, and connect with each other,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “The new Middle River RAC will be a community hub that celebrates the area’s rich history and cultural pride with activities and opportunities to engage residents of all ages.”

The $11.8 million facility was supported by $500,000 state grant, $1 million in federal ARPA funding, $1.725 million from Project Open Space and $8.8 million from Baltimore County.

The Middle River RAC features an array of indoor recreation facilities and spaces, including:

• A spacious double gym with a retractable wall and basketball hoops;
• Stage, movie screen and sound system;
• Six activity and multipurpose rooms that support a wide range of programs and activities;
• A newly renovated exterior multipurpose court.

“The Middle River RAC Center will be a game changer for these neighborhoods, creating a community center with activities for all ages, but especially for kids who need productive programs,” said Baltimore County Councilman Mike Ertel.

"This center will be an anchor for recreation programs and community uses in an area where we are working to strengthen neighborhoods, said Baltimore County Councilman David Marks. “The theme is also a salute to the aviation history which made Middle River such an important part of our nation's history."

The Middle River RAC is the first center since officials announced the reimagining of Baltimore County’s nine former Police Athletic League (PAL) centers as Recreation Activity Centers (RAC), which now offer expanded programming options. The new Rosedale RAC – featuring an esports theme – is expected to open this fall alongside McCormick Elementary School.

Under the RAC model, Baltimore County’s centers – in addition to athletic and after-school programming – provide expansive recreational, art, health, and wellness offerings, including for residents of all ages and younger children who were traditionally limited from PAL programming. Adults are required to accompany children under the age of six.

“This new Middle River RAC represents our commitment to creating not just functional recreation spaces but inviting and engaging ones that will serve the community,” said Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks Director Bob Smith. “Our goal is for our new facilities to be exciting destinations for our communities, reflect the neighborhood they are in and provide a new level of programming and activities for residents. We want to thank County Executive Olszewski and our local, state and federal partners for their investment in our communities and their support in moving this project forward.”

The new Middle River RAC will join the County’s existing RAC sites at Cockeysville, Dundalk, Hillendale, Lansdowne, Mars Estates, Scotts Branch, Shady Spring, Winfield, Woodmoor and the soon-to-open Rosedale facility.

This press release was produced by Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. The views expressed here are the author’s own.