Doylestown Township To Kickoff Capital Campaign For Recreation Center

DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — After postponing the event for a week due to poor air quality, Doylestown Township will officially kick off its capital campaign for a new Community Recreation Center on Wednesday, June 14.

The free public event takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. near the C&N Amphitheater in Central Park and will feature fun, games, light refreshments, and information about the improvements coming to Central Park. There will be free Kona Ice, a giant inflatable obstacle course with slide, music, treats, and a chance to win prizes.

The kickoff will be followed by a flag-raising ceremony and the National Anthem at 6:30 p.m. led by the Doylestown Township Veterans Advisory Committee (VAC).

At 7 p.m., the 2023 Thompson Performing Arts Series opens at the C&N Amphitheater featuring a performance by Little Red Rooster, a local favorite playing the blues. The concert series is free and open to the public.

The goal of the township’s capital campaign will be to raise $1.5 million in community support and grants to match the $1.5 million in state and local grants the township has already received from the state for the Central Park improvements.

The project will include three main components: the construction of an 18,000-square-foot indoor Community Recreation Center; new outdoor sports courts; and permanent and accessible restrooms near the amphitheater and Kids Castle.

The gymnasium inside the new Community Recreation Center. (Doylestown Township)

A public meeting room inside the Community Recreation Center. (Doylestown Township)

The lobby of the Community Recreation Center. (Doylestown Township)

“While much of the cost will be publicly funded, we need additional gifts to bring this project to life,” said campaign leaders. “We are excited to solicit your help and participation in making our new Community Recreation Center a reality. Please consider a donation today in support of this exciting initiative!”

The Community Recreation Center is slated to be built next to the township building where the current tennis and basketball courts are located. Currently, the Township has no indoor public recreation facility.

The new facility will include a gym, three multi-purpose rooms, a warming kitchen, and a large patio that overlooks Central Park.

In addition, permanent restroom facility will be constructed near the amphitheater and Kids Castle. And Field 1 will be transformed into tennis, basketball, pickle ball and bocce ball courts.

According to Lyons, there are a number of options for the public to contribute to the campaign, including naming rights.

“This project will revitalize a portion of our municipal campus currently in need of restoration,” said Barbara Lyons, chair of the board of supervisors. “The removal of outdated and run-down outdoor activity courts and the construction of new sport court facilities will reflect contemporary sport demands providing more opportunities for our Doylestown Township neighbors to be physically active and engage in a healthy lifestyle.

“The new basketball, bocce, pickleball and tennis courts will transform the space into an inviting recreation area that serves more of our citizens, as well as our youth programming activities.

“The addition of the Family Comfort Cottage that will house long-awaited permanent restrooms, and a water filling station will make the sports courts, the park, and the amphitheater a destination that can comfortably serve the needs of our residents. This transformation will make Central Park a true destination,” she said.

The Community Recreation Center. (Doylestown Township)