Across Monroe, community centers have long served as gathering places where neighbors meet, kids play ball after school, and families celebrate milestones. Many of these facilities are decades old, carrying the marks of heavy use and the memories of generations. Rather than replacing them, the City of Monroe is investing in their future.
“Preserving these buildings is about more than bricks and mortar,” said Property Management Director Ryan Jones. “It’s about honoring the role they play in community life while ensuring they remain safe, modern, and welcoming for years to come.”
That philosophy has guided a sweeping renovation effort, transforming gyms, classrooms, and event spaces into upgraded facilities that blend tradition with long-term improvements. From new professional-grade flooring to expanded pickleball courts, the updates ensure Monroe’s recreation hubs can continue to serve thousands of residents each year.
Major Gym Floor Improvements
Gyms at Sutton Park Community Center and J. Ray Shute Community Center now feature state-of-the-art Polysport floors. The Dickerson Recreation Complex now features upgraded maple floors and the Winchester Community Center floors were sanded and resurfaced. The new surfaces replace or update worn snap flooring with durable, professional-grade courts expected to last more than 25 years.
Community Center Interior Enhancements
In addition to new gym floors, community centers across Monroe received significant interior updates:
Sutton Park & J. Ray Shute Community Centers
- New luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring, fresh paint with signature blue doors, and refreshed stage areas
- Courts now accommodate basketball, volleyball, and pickleball
Dickerson Recreation Complex
- Extensive upgrades including maple flooring, new LVP throughout, and a new floating wood dance floor in the gym classroom
- Six existing tennis courts were converted into 12 permanent and six temporary pickleball courts
- Renovations to the disc golf course are complete
- New goals and Safe Path ramps are complete
Winchester Community Center
- Refinished courts, repainted lines, new interior flooring, and lobby upgrades
- New bleachers arrive in August and September, and a porch with storefront doors will replace the sunroom
Old Armory Community Center
- Phased updates include new luxury vinyl tile in common areas and the media room, with paint and finishing touches expected in fall 2025
Looking forward
As these renovations wrap up, the City is already planning future improvements, such as window replacements at Dickerson and the Old Armory, and exploring new uses for underutilized spaces, including the possibility of transforming Dickerson’s former weight room into a teen center.
By modernizing its community centers, Monroe is preserving the character of its neighborhoods while ensuring residents have safe, vibrant places to gather, play, and grow.
Learn more about our community events at our revitalized facilities.