West Bloomfield is trading its compact Recreation Activities Center for a sprawling, 48,000-square-foot Connect center on the Civic Center campus, a multigenerational hub that officials say will become a go-to hangout for everyone from pickleball die-hards to retired day-trippers. The new building is set to include indoor pickleball and table tennis courts, an elevated walking track, fitness studios, basketball courts and a dedicated senior lounge, with an opening targeted for the winter months of 2027128. Demolition of the old 8,400-square-foot center wrapped in May, and crews have already shifted into site work.
Township Supervisor Jonathan Warshay told The Detroit News that residents pushed for more expansion for senior activities, more for youth and a large patio to see nature, adding that knocking down the old building doubled as a ceremonial kickoff for the new project. The Detroit News also reported that the Connect center is the centerpiece of a parks bond voters approved in 2024.
What the new center will include
According to WB Parks, the Connect building at 4640 Walnut Lake Road will be nearly four times the size of the former Recreation Activities Center and is designed to serve residents of all ages. The project page lists a dedicated senior lounge and expanded nature education offerings, including an interactive outdoor play area and live animals. Inside, plans call for indoor pickleball and basketball courts, a walking track and multiple multipurpose rooms for classes, programs and community events.
Where programs are now
While the Civic Center site is being readied, many existing programs and walk-in services have been shifted to the township’s leased Connect Senior Center and other facilities to keep schedules running without major interruptions. Reporting by the West Bloomfield Beacon highlighted recent commission votes to temporarily hold certain contracts and to allocate a $3.5 million contingency fund to keep construction on track and help offset inflation-driven cost increases. The West Bloomfield Beacon also noted that the interim Connect location is operating at 33230 W 14 Mile Road.
Funding and timeline
Voters signed off on a 20-year, $25 million parks bond in August 2024 to pay for the project, and the bond information page states that work was scheduled to begin in 2026, with occupancy expected in late 2027 or winter 2027128. WB Parks estimates the tax impact at about $35 per year for a homeowner with $100,000 in taxable value and notes that a fund balance has been set aside as a cushion to handle potential cost increases.
Design, contractors and next steps
Design and preconstruction are already underway. DLZ lists the Connect center in its project portfolio as the architectural and engineering partner, while local meeting summaries identify HED as architect and Frank Rewold & Sons as construction manager, with subcontractors handling demolition and masonry work. Township officials say they plan to share regular construction updates on the park's website and social media channels as permits are finalized and site work continues to ramp up.
