John H. Marble Recreation Center Reopening February 22
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (February 19, 2025) – Manatee County Sports & Leisure Services Department is excited to announce the reopening of John H. Marble Recreation Center on February 22, 2025. A ceremonial ribbon-cutting, scheduled for 10 a.m., will kick off a day of play at the complex, featuring an opportunity to see and experience the latest in fitness and fun.
The completely renovated facility offers a modern space that focuses on families. The dual gymnasium will house 2 high-school basketball courts that can also be reconfigured as 3 volleyball courts or 6 pickleball courts. This will give camps and sports leagues the space and accessibility they need to provide additional opportunities for more kids to experience Manatee County youth programming. The recreation center will feature a state-of-the-art indoor fitness area, 3 multipurpose rooms, a catering kitchen and a kids’ club.
The 7-acre park property at 53rd Ave. E. (S.R. 70) and 37th St. E. was originally developed by families in Oneco who built the recreation hall and original gym in 1962. The non-profit South County Youth Center eventually turned over the property to the county in the mid-1990s. By 1999, Manatee County completed extensive renovations of the building, and it was renamed for former Manatee County Parks and Recreation Director John Marble.
The pool was installed in 1995, just prior to the County taking over operations. The initial plans for the current renovations didn’t include a new pool, but County Commissioners approved an additional $2.7 million to upgrade the swimming facility. The new 25-meter pool will have eight lanes instead of six when the work is completed.
“The new pool will fit right in when it’s up and running later this summer,” said District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard – who will be the emcee for the grand-opening event on February 22. “It would’ve been so sad to have this amazing facility here with the old pool.”
The $22.6 million in renovations include:
- Removing and replacing the gymnasium: $15,634,862
- Replacing the 25-meter pool with eight-lane pool: $2,721,512
- Expanding existing pool deck and constructing picnic pavilion: $1,092,662
- Replacing the pump room for the pool: $777,883
- Repaving the parking lot: $908,158
- Replacing the existing pavilion with restrooms: $364,409
- Installing the splash pad, including pipes and electric: $852,508
- Widening 37th St. E. and adding turn lanes: $146,278
- Replacing two restrooms with one ADA-compliant restroom: $148,169
Staff has been busy getting the place ready for the first official play day on Saturday, looking forward to earnest and enthusiastic neighborhood engagement for years to come.
"We are thrilled to unveil the newly remodeled John H. Marble Recreation Center," said Molly White, Director of Manatee County Sports & Leisure Services Department. "This renovation project has transformed the place into a state-of-the-art community space.”