Oak Marr RECenter Undergoing Renovations

A $3.8 million facelift for the Oak Marr RECenter is underway. 

“Fitness is the hot commodity right now with the community,” said Dave Bowden, director of the planning and development division with the Fairfax County Park Authority.

The RECenter on 3200 Jermantown Road in Oakton is receiving 12,500-square-foot addition and 5,700-square-foot of renovation to the existing facility. 

The facility built in 1988 offers an Olympic-sized swimming pool and was originally envisioned as a swimming center, but the popularity of indoor fitness has enhanced the demand for a more robust gym, Bowden said.

The updates include a two-level fitness center with aerobic and circuit training on the second floor and weight training equipment on the first floor. There will also be three large multipurpose rooms—one for indoor cycling classes and two others for classes like Zumba and Yoga, Bowden said.

“About 5 years ago we completed a renovation at the South Run ReCenter in the Springfield area of the county and it’s one of our most popular indoor RECenters,” Bowden said.

A 700-square-foot babysitting area is another highlight, said Judith Pedersen, public information officer for the park authority.

“It’s family friendly and we think it’s going to be extremely popular like South Run,” Pedersen said.

The renovations were approved through a 2012 park bond.

From the beginning of September through October 7, the center has been shutdown as construction crews work on a variety of renovation work including the lobby and front entrance. Customers are allowed to take classes at any other county RECenter during that time, Pedersen said.

After October 7, the renovations will continue but customers will regain access to indoor group fitness classes and the pool. 

Construction is set to be complete in August 2014. The county has posted the classes that will be impacted by the construction.