Out with the old, and in with the new.

The Hershey Recreation Center in downtown Hershey has been open since 1963. Derry Township says there are some limitations to the current Rec Center and the facilities need to be replaced and updated. The construction of a new Rec Center is estimated to cost $32 million.

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The Hershey Recreation Center and Cocoa Castle (above) are located in downtown Hershey. They are both great family-friendly locations for people in the community. (Broadcaster/Claire Sheppard)

The Rec Center is a place for families and friends to go to swim, play basketball and volleyball, and hang out with other members of the Hershey community. However, according to Derry Township, the six lane lap pool is not large enough to meet the needs of all swimmers, the showers are outdated, and the retractable dome above the pool poses a safety hazard.

Derry Township began planning to reconstruct and update the Rec Center in 2014. The construction is planned to begin in Spring 2019.

The Hershey Rec Center will be completely remodeled into the Hershey Community Center by the spring of 2020, making it more friendly to future generations.  

Funded with a combination of bonds, a capital campaign and a tax increase, Derry Township projects an increase of $137.50 in property taxes on a $250,000 home.

At the new Hershey Community Center, there will be many social and recreational activities for people in Hershey. Some of the new additions anticipated at the Center are a larger pool space, meeting rooms, classes for residents to participate in, fitness opportunities, a childcare area, and more.

The Hershey Community Center will be a fun-filled, updated area for Hershey community members to spend their time doing any of the numerous activities offered.