Holland city leaders authorized a major financing step Wednesday toward constructing a community recreation center designed to expand regional sports and recreation opportunities.
The Holland City Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing up to $22 million in bond sales for an 83,000-square-foot recreation center on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The project also relies on a $5 million private donation.
Council member Scott Corbin said the project will not result in a new dedicated tax.
The recreation center will be located off of Fairbanks Avenue between 13th and 14th streets, near Smallenburg Park. It will feature four full-size basketball courts that can be converted for volleyball, soccer, pickleball and other activities.
Building construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in November, pending final approvals by council.
City officials say the facility will allow Holland to host larger tournaments as well as regular sports programming. It will also house multipurpose spaces for non-sports recreation programs, including dance, ballet, arts and acting classes.
The facility is designed to provide a permanent home for local recreation programming. The city has relied entirely on sharing space with local schools for decades, but securing time in those facilities has become increasingly challenging, said City Manager Keith Van Beek.
Source: https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2026/08/holland-approves-22m-in-bonds-for-new-recreation-center.html