Recreation Center
Transition Plan

A Smarter, More Sustainable Future for BREC Facilities 

BREC’s Imagine Your Parks 3 (IYP3) plan introduces a bold vision to transform how recreation centers serve East Baton Rouge Parish. Many of BREC’s recreation centers are very old and past their useful lives. After many years of wear, rising maintenance costs, and growing community needs, it’s time to reinvest wisely. IYP3 shifts from a one-size-fits-all model to a more focused, flexible approach—delivering high-quality facilities in strategically placed areas of each region of East Baton Rouge Parish. 

What’s Changing? 

A Tiered Model for Recreation Centers 
We’re transitioning to a two-tiered system: 

  • Tier 1 Centers: Larger, full-service hubs with robust programming, serving broad community areas. These typically include one or more full sized basketball courts, program and event spaces, and other indoor recreational spaces. 
  • Tier 1A – (Two Safe Rooms at Memorial Sports Complex and Airline Highway Community Park: these two facilities will have full-service hubs with robust programming, serving broad community areas. These will include three full-sized basketball courts, and other indoor recreational spaces.) 
  • Tier 2 Centers: Neighborhood-focused facilities with self-directed or partner-led activities. 
  • Tier 2A Outdoor Recreation Hub: Shaded, multi-use outdoor spaces with restrooms, fans/misters, and electrical hookups. Designed for self-guided recreation and small events, featuring flexible amenities like play areas, fitness zones, or courts, with optional partner-led programming. 

Smarter Use of Resources 

Facility Right-Sizing: Some centers' facilities that have reached the end of their useful lives will be repurposed into something that better serves the surrounding community without spreading resources too thin. 

Target: At least 14 centers will be repurposed to realign the portfolio of recreation centers to ensure long-term financial sustainability. 

Each region of the parish will have access to a Tier 1 or Tier 1A recreation center.

 

The Main Priorities 

At BREC, the well-being of our community is our top priority. In response to the extreme heat impacting South Louisiana, we are implementing comprehensive heat relief measures—including expanded access to air conditioning, cooling amenities, and other resources designed to provide immediate support and long-term resilience. 

We are also strengthening our security initiatives to ensure the safety of all park users. A safe environment is essential for our parks to thrive and for our communities to feel confident and protected. 

Central to all of our efforts is a strong commitment to equity. Guided by community input gathered through stakeholder sessions and advisory committees, we are prioritizing investment in historically underserved areas with the greatest need. Our approach to equity recognizes that each community is unique—success means providing resources and solutions tailored to what each neighborhood values and will use most. Rather than a one-size-fits-all model, we are focused on fairness and delivering meaningful, customized support.

 

Tier 1 & 1 A Centers
  • Serve broader area by acting as a destination for district or beyond
  • Larger modern facilities with a greater range of indoor recreation and gathering opportunities
  • Greater level of programming
  • 1A centers are the two planned safe rooms at Memorial Sports Complex and Airline Highway Park. These will be BREC's largest recreation centers.

Tier 2 Centers
  • Serve as a destination for local neighborhoods
  • Compact facilities that focus on providing the basics, like recreation opportunities and/or space for small gatherings
  • Offer self-guided and partnership programming, with very limited BREC programming
  • A Tier 2 Center could also have a Tier 2A Outdoor Recreation Hub 

Tier 2A Outdoor Recreation Hub
  • Are outdoor shaded recreation areas- such as large canopy structures or Airnasiums equipped with air circulation systems like industrial fans and misters and restrooms.
  • They can be designed to support small scale outdoor events and gatherings (i.e., Birthday parties, group meetings,
  • etc.) with electrical hookups and storage. Programming will be self-guided recreation.
  • They can have a variety of recreation opportunities such as play structures, fitness equipment, or court sports depending on community needs.
  • A portion can also be open-multi use space with programming such as fitness and yoga. Programming would focus on partnerships.

About the Recreation Center 3.0 Plan 

BREC will begin engaging with the public in the summer of 2025 to create a Recreation Center Transition Plan. This round of planning will focus on the highest priority areas, as identified by the IYP3 plan. BREC established regional groupings of recreation centers located near one another throughout the parish. See the list of groupings below.  

BREC is focusing the first 3 years on the following regional groupings: <list grouping numbers> 

The first round of engagement for those regions will occur in June, July, and August of 2025. The goal is to have a draft recreation center transition plan for the next 3-years of IYP3 to the community for input followed by a final plan before the end of the year. Follow this page for updates on events that will be scheduled in various regions at BREC recreation centers across the parish. < Start list of events here that includes which recreation center region / grouping will be discussed and which parks are included in those groupings. >  

A community advisory council that will provide feedback and assist with engaging the community is also being formed.  

 

Join the Conversation

This transition is not only about buildings—it is about people, equity, and long-term health. We invite you to be part of the conversation as we reimagine recreation for the next generation.

Learn more. Get involved. Help shape the future.

[Explore the Full IYP3 Plan]