The Palo Alto Recreation & Wellness Center will be a vibrant community destination where residents of all ages can gather to exercise, learn, compete, socialize, and improve their health and well-being. It is envisioned as a modern, flexible facility supporting youth sports, adult recreation, senior wellness, fitness, community events, and intergenerational programming

A Recreation & Wellness Center is more than a building—it is a community gathering place that promotes health, recreation, youth development, lifelong wellness, and connections between generations. It is an investment in the future of Palo Alto.

1) City of Palo Alto does not own a gymnasium.

2) Demand for gym (indoor) space is high.

3) Limited gym availability and the lack of a City-owned gym complicate the expansion of most sports programs—including youth for both boys and girls.

4) At least one multi-purpose gymnasium is recognized as a community need.

5) Sports programs, particularly middle school athletics and adult sports, are operating over capacity.

6) Youth athletes are practicing at 8 and 9 pm due to lack of sports facilities.

7) The highest participation in City programs is in sports (adult and youth), aquatics (youth and teen) and day camps. Program offerings should respond to this demand.

8) Additional gym space would allow for expanding middle school athletics and exploring options to create an Intramural sports program.

9) Current Cubberley Community Center Gyms have been unusable since February 2022, Expected date to reopen is another year.

10) No locker rooms, weight rooms, or meeting space available in these gyms.

Flexible indoor space to accommodate a wide range of sports and wellness programs for all ages. Sports including basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, indoor pickleball, climbing wall, indoor soccer, martial arts, Judo, dance, gymnastics, fitness programs, Heart Fit for Life, Weightlifting and Exercise Equipment, Exercise and wellness classes for all and future community suggestions.

Youth sports programs, senior and adult exercise programs, sport leagues, drop in/pick up sports games, spaces to “hang out”.

The size of the building is 34,659 sq feet, or 0.8 acres, with parking, the size required is 66,669 sq feet or 1.6 acres. Total gross site is 100,597 sq ft. or 2.309 acres.

Once the funds are raised, it is estimated to be 2.5 years, perhaps a bit more, depending on required permits. This, of course, is a “ball park” estimate? 6 months to design, 6 months for permitting, 16 months for construction.

A combination of community contributions and the City of Palo Alto. The recent rebuilding of the Junior Museum provides a roadmap for a successful public private partnership.

There are so many resources in Palo Alto. The community is welcome and encouraged to participate by learning about the plans, contributing time, talent and resources to help and providing vocal support for this exciting project that will benefit our community, now and in the future.

Yes. The need has been identified by the City of Palo Alto and the community for many years. • Palo Alto does not own a public community gymnasium.

• Demand for indoor recreation space exceeds available facilities.

• Youth athletes often practice at 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. because of limited gym space.

• Schools, leagues and community groups compete for limited indoor facilities.

• The Cubberley gymnasiums have been unavailable since 2022, now have been restored but without air and heat.

• The new center will provide flexible space for sports, wellness, meetings and community activities.

The need has never been greater. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a lasting legacy through a partnership between the City and the community.

Cubberley has long served as a center for recreation, education and community activities. It is centrally located and ideal for the Recreation & Wellness Center.

Children, youth, families, adults, seniors, schools, community organizations, adaptive recreation participants and local sports organizations.

Basketball, volleyball, pickleball, badminton, table tennis, indoor soccer, fitness, wellness, youth camps, senior programs, Martial arts, community meetings, health education, after-school programs, response to community suggestions and special events.

Current planning estimates are approximately $40 million.

Funding will come through a public-private partnership between the City of Palo Alto and the Friends of the Palo Alto Recreation & Wellness Center. Private philanthropy, grants, corporate support and naming opportunities will help make the project possible.

A nonprofit 501 c3 organization dedicated to helping make the Recreation & Wellness Center a reality through fundraising, advocacy, community outreach and volunteer leadership.

Leadership gifts will provide opportunities to name the building and major spaces within the facility.

Through sponsorships, leadership gifts, grants, employee giving and community partnerships.

Yes, absolutely. The center will provide fitness, wellness, social and lifelong recreation opportunities in an accessible environment.

Yes. Expanding indoor recreation opportunities for youth is one of the project's highest priorities.

The center will improve health and wellness, expand recreation opportunities, strengthen community connections and enhance quality of life for residents of all ages.

The project is currently fundraising outreach. The Friends have the agreement with the City, the land at Cubberley, currently owned by the City of Palo Alto, the designated project manager and the preliminary design. As fundraising, design and City approvals progress, updated milestones will be shared.

Make a contribution, volunteer, introduce potential donors, join Friends of PARWC Advisory Council, share the vision, and help build a lasting legacy for future generations.