Work officially began in April on the upcoming Hilliard Recreation and Wellness Center, and now residents must bide their time until it opens in two years.
The 105,000-square-foot building is the largest construction project Hilliard has ever taken on.
Located at 3993 Cosgray Rd., just west of the city’s municipal park at the intersection of Scioto Darby Road, it will replace the city’s nearby existing community center.
The new campus will feature a diversity of offerings, including:
- a gymnasium
- indoor running track
- fitness and weight room
- aerobic dance and spin studios
- classrooms
- 240-person community events room
- commercial kitchen
- child watch area
- outdoor patio gathering space
- an aquatic facility that includes a 25-meter x 25-yard lap pool, recreation activity pool, water slide, and small spa
Additionally, 25,000 square feet of the 105,000 will be dedicated to the Wexner Medical Center.
“By bringing OSU Wexner Center on board, we will be able to offer rehabilitation, physical therapy, and other preventative services to Hilliard residents,” said Anna Subler, the city’s community relations administrator. “This will also allow the city to offer recreational and academic partnerships with OSU.”
Hilliard residents are footing the $110 million price tag for the new center’s construction. It’s a fact they agreed to in voting booths back in November 2021 when approving an additional 0.5% municipal income tax.
“This revenue is solely dedicated to Recreation and Parks and the new Recreation and Wellness Campus, and will also include an athletic complex of 26 fields, trail expansion, stream restoration, and extension of Cosgray Road,” Subler said.
About 80% of operating costs will be funded by various revenues, including program fees and memberships.
Subler also noted the center has been handed a nickname: “The Well.”
“Historically, wells are community gathering places, and we hope this facility will serve as a modern-day well to the Hilliard Community,” she said.
Ed Merritt, Hilliard’s director of recreation and parks, said the center will serve as a hub that will help expand wellness programming across the city.
“We also expect more opportunities for events, fitness, and sports leagues,” he said. “The goal is to build a facility that is inviting and welcoming to the entire community— from toddlers all the way to older adults. It’s an incredible opportunity that will positively affect our community moving forward.”
The community center isn’t the only major development within Hilliard’s city limits.
There are also plans for a mixed-use development occupying a 27-acre site slated to feature 350 residential units and a 100-room hotel, along with 300,000 square feet of office space. That project is located at 4457 Trueman Blvd., just off 1-270.
In Old Hilliard, Crooked Can Brewing Company and Center Street Market have brought new life to the downtown area, in addition to a number of investments from developer Andy Warnock. Warnock’s Westwood Collective is behind the Junction, Norwich Square, a number of retail shops and is looking at further plans for the 20 plus properties they own in the area.
Hilliard isn’t the only city with a community center under construction. Upper Arlington is working to create their community center, which features some commonalities. For instance, the UA facility is also set to officially debut in 2025 and feature designated space for Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center. The Upper Arlington project will also house an indoor swimming pool and multiple gyms, while also offering 40,000 square feet of office space.
More information on Hilliard’s Park and Recreation offerings can be found by visiting hilliardohio.gov/recreation-parks.
