News & Project Updates
Community Center Ribbon Cutting and Building Dedication Ceremony to be Held Saturday, Sept. 19
Residents and community members are invited to attend a ribbon cutting and building dedication ceremony celebrating the opening of the new Foster City Community Center on Saturday, September 19. The celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 650 Shell Blvd, and feature remarks and recognition by local officials and project team members plus an opportunity for community members to tour the new facility, as well as games, music, food, giveaways and more fun for the whole family.
“We hope the entire Foster City community comes to join us for this momentous occasion celebrating the opening of this landmark new facility,” said Parks and Recreation Derek Schweigart. “Following years of planning and construction, we are thrilled to open the doors of our beautiful building and welcome the community members who will enjoy it for generations to come.”
The City of Foster City is grateful for the many sponsors which have charitably contributed to making this event possible, including gold sponsor Edgewater Marine.
The Foster City Community Center ribbon cutting marks an exciting milestone approximately two years after construction began. The new facility offers flexible spaces designed to accommodate classes, meetings, special events, fitness and dance programs, and activities for residents of all ages. Amenities include dedicated spaces for seniors and youth, a café, ceramics studio, children’s playground, and enhanced outdoor areas that take advantage of the Community Center’s unique placement along the lagoon. Learn more about the Community Center rebuild project at https://rebuildtherec.org/en/
Lagoon boardwalk in Leo Ryan Park to be closed the week of August 25, 2025
To accommodate sewer line and storm drain work, construction crews will need to close the boardwalk adjacent to the Lagoon in Leo Ryan Park from Tuesday, August 26, until Friday, August 29. The community's patience and cooperation are appreciated through the duration of this work.
Residents Invited to Attend the Topping Off Ceremony for the Foster City Community Center
Foster City community members are invited to attend the Topping Off ceremony celebrating a key milestone in construction of the new Foster City Community Center. This special occasion on Tuesday, July 29, at 11 a.m. will commemorate the completion of vertical construction and feature the placement of a final, signed steel beam atop the framework of the new facility at 650 Shell Blvd.
“We hope Foster City residents and community members join us to recognize the hard work and dedication that has brought us to this pivotal point in the project,” said Derek Schweigart. “This is an exciting moment in our journey to build a world-class Community Center that will benefit all who live, work, and play in Foster City for generations to come.”
Those interested in attending may park at The Vibe Teen Center (670 Shell Blvd), and plan to wear closed-toed shoes along with apparel appropriate for an active construction site. Also, please note that the event will feature a designated zone where community members can observe the ceremony at a safe distance from the crane hoisting the steel beam.
Work Scheduled Outside of Normal Construction Hours in June and July
Crews are planning upcoming concrete pours outside of normal construction hours on Thursday, June 26, and Wednesday, July 2, between 3am-7am. This will advance slab work and should not generate significant amounts of additional noise or traffic in the neighborhood.
Weekend Construction Work Planned for Saturday, March 1
Off-hours construction work for the new Community Center will take place this Saturday, 3/1, starting at 8am and lasting approximately eight hours. This will allow crews to prepare for continued auger pile work and should not generate significant noise or impact the neighborhood.
Notice for Noise & Temporary Traffic Control Near Community Center Construction Site
Starting on Wednesday, 2/19, community members who live or work near the Community Center construction site can expect to hear loud noises and experience temporary traffic control for the next few weeks. This is part of scheduled auger pile work, which is a drilling method for constructing deep foundations. To ensure the safety of both crews and drivers while materials are being delivered, flaggers will be holding traffic to allow trucks to enter the jobsite. This will occur during normal construction hours from 7:30am to 4:30pm. Residents are advised to proceed with caution when near the work zone. Thank you for your understanding as crews conduct this necessary work.
Those with questions or concerns related to construction activity at the Community Center are encouraged to call the City’s construction manager Griffin Structures representatives: Project Executive George Sanen at 408-955-0431 X268 and Sr. Program & Construction Manager Bryan Maghribi at 408-955-0431 X218.
Bocce Ball Courts Closed
Beginning in January, the bocce ball courts adjacent to the new Community Center construction site will be closed for upgrades. The community's patience and understanding are appreciated.
Community Invited to Attend Foster City Community Center Groundbreaking Ceremony
Join us at 11am on Wednesday, December 18 in Leo Ryan Park for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the construction of a new Foster City Community Center, slated to open in 2026!
Please RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/246rt35y
Preparation Begins for Recreation Center Demolition
Demolition of the Recreation Center is set to begin on Monday, November 18. Please be aware that an increase in activity, noise, and other impacts related to construction can be expected on and around the construction site at 650 Shell Blvd.
Those with questions or concerns related to construction activity at the Recreation Center are encouraged to call the City’s construction manager Griffin Structures representatives: Project Executive George Sanen at (415) 858-8582 and Sr. Program & Construction Manager Bryan Maghribi at (408) 656-3342.
Community members should also be advised that the main parking lot entrance at the Recreation Center is closed to the public. Patrons looking to access Leo Ryan Park or recreation services are encouraged to park in the lot adjacent to The Vibe Teen Center at 670 Shell Blvd. or in the lot behind the facility near the boathouse.
The parking lot entrance to the lot adjacent to The Vibe.
The parking lot entrance behind The Vibe near the boathouse.
Please note that recreation services and programming will continue to be offered during construction. Programming and classes will be moved to The Vibe or modular buildings next to the facility, and the Community Center next door the Foster City Library at 1000 E. Hillsdale Blvd. The hours of operation at both facilities will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on the weekends. For more information and the latest news about the project, please continue visiting this page.
Foster City Moves Ahead with Plan to Rebuild Recreation Center
Plans to rebuild the Foster City Recreation Center took a pivotal step forward Tuesday, September 3, under a unanimous decision by the City Council to award a contract to BHM Construction. The approval sets the stage for construction to begin on the project, which has long been in the planning and design stages.
“We are thrilled to continue the process of rebuilding the Recreation Center into a new, improved facility with modern amenities and features that are designed to serve the entire Foster City community for generations to come,” said Parks and Recreation Director Derek Schweigart.
In preparation for work to begin on the project, limited services and programming will be available at the Recreation Center through Sunday, September 15. The amended hours of operation for the facility located at 650 Shell Blvd. will be Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Beginning Monday, September 16, the Recreation Center will close to the public, and all services and classes will be moved to the VIBE Teen Center, at 670 Shell Blvd, and the Community Center at 1000 E. Hillsdale Blvd. (adjacent to the Foster City Library). The hours of operation at both facilities will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The existing Recreation Center, located in Leo J. Ryan Park, is nearly 50 years old and necessary investment in infrastructure improvements are required to meet current structural, seismic, and programmatic needs, as well as emergency shelter readiness. Visit www.rebuildtherec.org for more information and the latest updates about the project.
Limited Hours and Services at Recreation Center
In preparation for the potential rebuild of the Recreation Center, a limited variety of services and programming, including front desk services, will be available at the following times during weekdays at the facility through Sunday, September 15:
Monday - Thursday: 8am - 7pm; Friday: 8am - 8pm
Beginning September 16, the Recreation Center will close to the public, and all services and classes will be moved to the VIBE Teen Center and the Community Center:
Community Center at 1000 E. Hillsdale Blvd. (adjacent to the Foster City Library): Monday - Friday: 8am - 8pm; Saturday -Sunday: 9am - 7pm
The VIBE at 670 Shell Blvd.: Monday - Thursday: 8am-9pm; Friday: 8am-10pm; Saturday - Sunday: 9am-10pm
Recreation Center Rebuild Project Prepares for Construction
With construction expected to soon begin on the Recreation Center Rebuild Project, big changes are planned for recreational programming in Foster City. The Foster City Recreation Center, located at 650 Shell Blvd., is closing to prepare for reconstruction on Monday, August 19, following completion of the Summer Days Festival. The Recreation Center is slated to remain closed the next two years due to construction activities building the brand-new facility, until the new Recreation Center is opened in 2026. See more info.
City Council meeting January 16, 2024
At the meeting January 16, 2024, the City Council provided direction to allocate an additional approximately $9.49 million to finance construction of the Foster City Recreation Center rebuild project. The policy direction is intended to address the Project’s current budget shortfall, which exceeds the initial Project budget appropriation by 16% or $10,568,750. Several funding solutions were considered and approved, many of which will need to return to the City Council for action at a future meeting.