The Mount Vernon Rec Center renovation, 2 years in the making, is nearing the finish line as the Fairfax County Park Authority announced the opening date sometime in May 2025 with the center’s pool reopening 2 weeks later. Local students and residents of Alexandria who have been missing the beloved Mount Vernon Rec Center are eager for the facility’s return.
The 70 million dollar project is highly touted as a “first-class facility” and the “best facility in the metro area,” according to Linwood Gorham, the Mount Vernon representative on the Fairfax County Park Board.
The renovation expanded the old rec center from 64,000 to 139,000 square feet. The addition includes an additional NHL-sized ice rink that is placed on both sides of the center, an indoor track that wraps around one of the ice rinks, an open space lobby that overlooks a giant rock climbing wall, spa, sauna, pool with an added beach entry and aquatic climbing wall, improved two-story gym, and other updated amenities for public use.
Maya Rees-Hoofnagle, freshman, expressed her enthusiasm for the return of the rec center. “I can’t wait. I’ve been ice skating since I was little and I used to go to the rec center all the time. But after the closing, I haven’t gone very often due to the lack of local rinks. But I can’t wait to take up the hobby once again!”
Nearly 250 part-time staff positions are available, providing possible job opportunities for West Potomac students, ranging from ice rink monitors and lifeguards to desk managers and recreation program instructors.
“I applied for one of the jobs, it’s a really cool opportunity, and I know a bunch of people applying for summer jobs at the rec center from West Potomac,” Annabelle Cummings, sophomore, said.
The walking distance from West Potomac High School in Virginia to the new Mount Vernon Rec Center is approximately 0.5 miles, which typically takes around 20 minutes on foot. Bus 152 stops just outside West Po, and drops off right in front of the rec center. This service runs every 20 minutes during peak hours, making it an easy and accessible way for students and community members to reach the rec center without the need for a car.
