If you’ve lived in Fort Collins for a while, you know the Southeast Community Center (SECC) has been one of the most anticipated projects in the city’s history. Originally approved through the 2015 Community Capital Improvement Program (CCIP), this was supposed to be the project that brought a full-service community, recreation, and library facility to one of the fastest-growing parts of town.
But at what feels like the 11th hour, City Council is signaling a significant reduction in scope—and frankly, it’s hard not to be frustrated.
Let’s unpack where things stand today, what’s changed, and what it means for Fort Collins residents moving forward.
A 10-Year Journey
Back in 2015, voters approved a quarter-cent sales tax through the CCIP initiative, setting aside funds for key infrastructure projects. One of the marquee projects promised? The Southeast Community Center—a collaborative facility between:
- City of Fort Collins
- Poudre School District (PSD)
- Poudre River Public Library District
Fast forward nearly a decade, and this public-private collaboration has been moving forward steadily. The site sits near Zeigler and Kechter Roads—right in the heart of the city’s booming southeast side, where growth has far outpaced public facility development.
What Was Promised in February 2025
In February 2025, the City Council reviewed a $93 million proposal that painted a bright future for the SECC.
That version included:
- A 64,000–75,000 square foot facility,
- State-of-the-art recreation and fitness amenities,
- An expanded Poudre Library branch,
- Shared classroom and event space,
- And a robust connection to outdoor fields and the PSD campus next door.
The “Option 1A” Shift
However, during the October 14, 2025, City Council Work Session, city staff introduced Option 1A, which effectively scales back the project to a 40,000–50,000 square foot facility—a reduction of roughly one-third in total building size.
The revised budget comes in around $78 million, meaning a savings of $15 million compared to February’s concept.
For a $93 million project—something the community has waited on for 10 years—cutting $15 million translates to major compromises.
Fewer amenities. Smaller spaces. Reduced community capacity.
Why the Timing Feels Off
The frustration isn’t just about the reduction—it’s about when it’s happening.
After years of planning, design workshops, and community engagement, we’re now at the point where the project should be finalized and heading toward construction. The “bait-and-switch” feeling comes from the fact that right as Council prepares to bring a final resolution to vote in November, this scaled-down version emerges as the “preferred path.”
It’s understandable that the city wants to stay fiscally conservative. But when you’ve had nearly a decade to plan and allocate funds—and now, right before the finish line, you pull back on amenities—it just feels shortsighted.
The Reallocation Factor
Adding to the complexity, Council is proposing to reallocate roughly $5 million in excess general funds—money that’s accumulated since the 2015 tax initiative—to affordable housing projects.
Now, let’s be clear: Fort Collins needs affordable housing. We’re behind on inventory, and we’ll likely always be trying to catch up. But this particular project was never about housing—it was about community access, equity, and recreation for a region of the city that has long lacked it.
Redirecting funds at this stage, while shrinking the SECC, feels misplaced. Because community centers like this don’t come around every decade—they come around maybe once every 50 years.
What’s Next
According to the city’s timeline, the SECC plan will move forward as follows:
- November 2025: First and second readings before City Council, with the resolution expected to finalize the scope and funding model.
- 2026: Begin final design and engineering work.
- 2027: Construction projected to start.
- 2028: Anticipated grand opening of the Southeast Community Center.
If approved, Option 1A will serve as the blueprint moving forward.
What Will Be Lost—and What Remains
While the details from the October 14 presentation show that the new design still includes key partnerships with PSD and the Poudre Library District, several amenities will likely be reduced or eliminated.
We don’t yet have the exact list of what’s being cut, but the February proposal included indoor gym space, aquatics facilities, multipurpose event areas, and community learning rooms—all of which could be scaled back or simplified to fit within the smaller footprint.
That said, the partnership model remains intact, and that’s one silver lining. The city, PSD, and the Library District still plan to co-locate resources, creating a shared-use campus that encourages collaboration and connection.
The Bigger Picture
When you take a step back, the Southeast Community Center still represents a major milestone for Fort Collins. A $78 million investment is no small feat, and this facility will serve families, students, and residents in the southeast for generations to come. The partnerships between the City of Fort Collins, Poudre School District, and the Poudre Library District are something to celebrate, and it’s encouraging to see $5 million being redirected toward affordable housing—an ongoing and important need in our community.
That said, it’s also fair to acknowledge that this process has been a bit bittersweet. While we’ll still see a state-of-the-art facility come to life, the decision to move forward with a smaller, 40,000–50,000 square foot version means fewer people will be able to use it at any given time. In fact, by the city’s own estimates, this option will likely result in lower long-term usage compared to the original plan.
In five or ten years, once the building is complete and serving its purpose, most of us will probably be proud of what stands there—and rightfully so. It will become a vital part of the community, and hopefully the funds redirected to housing will help more families find stability across Fort Collins.
I’m genuinely grateful that this project is finally moving forward, and I know it will make a positive impact. But I’d be lying if I said there isn’t a little frustration that something we’ve all anticipated for a decade had to be trimmed back at the finish line.
Still, progress is progress, and I have no doubt this center—whatever its final size—will be a cornerstone of southeast Fort Collins for generations to come.