"The building still looks as new and fresh as it did when we first opened," boasts Steve Kilo, director of parks, recreation and senior services. "We are continually focused on staying up to date and are very serious about our comprehensive preventative maintenance program."

The facility's aquatic center, named by USA Today as one of the best in the country, this year underwent extensive renovations that included the resurfacing of both pools. The center's two indoor pools, including water slides, sprays and the popular pirate ship, offer the perfect venue for competition, learning to swim and just plain fun for all ages.
"We also refurbished the lower locker room facilities to better meet the needs of the many swimming teams that use our pools, including the Strongsville High School team," Kilo says. "We enjoy a great partnership with the schools and we're proud to be the home of their team."

Along with the pool renovations, the Recreation Center's steam room this year was completely replaced. The improvements follow the additions over the past two years of more than $200,000 worth of new, world class cardiovascular and strength training equipment. Recreation Center members are now able to work out on the latest equipment from Life Fitness (Signature Series) and Cybex (Arc Trainers). The new equipment supplements the variety of other amenities at the Recreation Center: gymnasiums, an indoor track, a game room and more.

Outside the recreation complex, the Parks and Recreation Department, with 200 acres of parks and recreational areas throughout the city, has something for every age group, from infants to adults, as well as special populations.
"We have concentrated this year on updating and replacing the backstops and fencing for the city's ball fields and we've done a lot of work at other outdoor facilities as well," Kilo says.

The city collaborates with the Ice Land USA facility to increase opportunities to learn to skate and to take advantage of the ice time the city leases the facility.
Located behind the Recreation Complex, the Strongsville Backyard Preserve offers 38 acres of woods, plants and wildlife. A cooperative effort of the city and local organizations, the Backyard Preserve is a sanctuary of natural peace and quiet.

The mission of the Recreation Department is to improve the quality of life for all residents of Strongsville by providing a variety of activities, special events, facilities and services that encourage health, fitness, relaxation, enjoyment, cultural enrichment and learning as well as providing volunteer opportunities for community involvement.

To learn more about the Recreation Center and the city's other parks and recreation services, call 440-580-3260, or visit www.strongsville.org.