IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Waterford Parks & Recreation Department is announcing the early closure of the Waterford Recreation Center due to an unexpected boiler system failure. This issue has made it impossible to maintain safe and comfortable temperatures inside the facility during the current cold weather.

In October, the Township Board of Trustees voted to close the Recreation Center at the end of this year due to significant safety concerns and the increasing cost of major building repairs. The department has been preparing to transition programs from the Recreation Center to the Leggett Campus (Waterford Senior Center) and other Township facilities beginning in January 2026.

Unfortunately, the sudden boiler failure has accelerated this timeline, resulting in the Recreation Center’s closure a few weeks earlier than planned. With indoor temperatures unable to be adequately maintained, the facility cannot safely support daily operations for staff, seniors, or community members.

Participants who prepaid for programs that are now cancelled will receive full refunds, or prorated refunds for programs that were partially completed. Parks and Recreation staff are actively notifying participants and instructors regarding these changes.

The department is also coordinating closely with community organizations that regularly use the Recreation Center to minimize interruptions to their programs, events, and services. This includes partners such as the Waterford Goodfellows and Waterford Youth Assistance.

Many recreation programs will resume the week of December 8 at the Leggett Campus. Some programs will be cancelled for the remainder of the year and will restart in January.

Following the community’s approval of the November 2024 bond proposal for the new Waterford Community Center at the O.C.C. Highland Lakes Campus, long-term plans remain in motion. Both Recreation Center and Leggett Campus programs will ultimately be consolidated at the new community center, scheduled to open in January 2028.

The Parks & Recreation Department appreciates the community’s patience and understanding as we work through this unplanned early closure and continue our commitment to providing high-quality programs and services to Waterford residents.

For questions or updates, please contact Waterford Parks & Recreation at 248-674-5441 or aswanson@waterfordmi.gov