Before moving to the St. Louis metro area, I lived in Urbandale, a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa. During a 2023 city election there, 83% of voters rejected a bond referendum to fund the U-Plex, a new rec center.
The proposed center carried a $43-million price tag, and its 65,000 square feet promised to fill Urbandale’s recreational gaps. Renderings illustrated state-of-the-art features like an indoor walking track, playground, and rental space, and outdoors, lighted pickleball courts and a splash pad.
One of the things I loved about living in Urbandale was easy access to exercise. I frequently ran on a paved trail just minutes from my home. With 57 miles of trails and another 9 miles proposed, many residents had similar access. This is a city where community health and fitness have value.
So, why the resounding no to the U-Plex? In short, money. At the time of the vote, inflation was still at record highs, and the U-Plex would’ve been taxpayer-funded. The facility was right for the community; the timing wasn’t.
Since the vote, the mayor has vowed to seek out other new recreational opportunities; however, I can’t help but be a little bummed about the defeat. I sympathize with voters—we’ve all been impacted by inflation in some way, be it personally, professionally, or both. Many folks can’t afford an increased tax burden when everyday prices remain high.
But as you and I both know, recreation centers can benefit communities in so many ways, from ensuring equitable access to fitness activities to supporting youth development to connecting community members of all ages. The best facilities aren’t simply spaces to play. Courts, pools, gyms, playgrounds—they’re sources of connection, woven into the fabric of towns, cities, states, and regions.
Recreation brings us together, and great facilities ensure we make the most of that shared time.
In this month’s stories, we highlight incredible facilities that double as community touchstones. You’ll find adventurous and inclusive playgrounds and groundbreaking building systems. You’ll read about neighborhood reinvestment in historic landmarks. You’ll discover cities that are rekindling the passion of local sports enthusiasts.
The angles vary, but the connective thread is clear—investment in a facility is investment in a community. These projects bring much more than aesthetic beauty to municipalities. They deliver impact, immediately and for the foreseeable future.
For the residents of Urbandale, the U-Plex may not see the light of day. But here’s hoping that smaller-scale recreational initiatives can be just as effective. Facilities don’t need to be massive to work their magic. They just need to bring people together. Once they do, the value will be crystal-clear.
