When Oakland Community College closed its Highland Lakes campus in Waterford Township, Mich., and began selling the property in parcels, township officials recognized an opportunity to create a multigenerational community center on the former campus. The new facility would consolidate recreation and senior services that were currently offered in separate locations, making it a true community hub.
After voters approved bond funding, the township purchased 51 acres that included the student center and athletic fields and engaged Plante Moran Realpoint (PMR) to support planning efforts. Following our assessment of the facilities’ condition, PMR showed the financial impact of refurbishing one of the buildings on the newly purchased land compared to building a new community center from the ground up. Township officials ultimately decided to renovate and expand the former student center and demolish the other building to make way for a parking lot and plaza.
PMR’s extensive experience with community center renovations and builds helped the township make key decisions like these throughout the project. Leveraging our proprietary database of community center projects and their line-item costs, we provided data-driven recommendations and real-world examples from comparable projects, helping leaders make informed renovate vs. build choices with confidence. PMR was also key in helping define the project’s scope, budget, schedule, and implementation strategy. To maximize value, we coordinated competitive bidding processes for project vendors and services, then evaluated submissions to help the township select qualified partners while managing costs.
With a clear project plan and the right team in place, Waterford Township has moved forward with construction and engaged PMR to serve as its owner’s representative. The community center is expected to be completed in 2028. Some of its offerings include:
- A wider variety of recreation programs focused on both the mental and physical well-being of participants of all ages
- A singular location for recreation and senior programming
- Many amenities tailored to the interests of Waterford Township’s growing population of older adults, such as pickleball, table tennis, Meals on Wheels, fitness and enrichment classes, and more
- More gym space for programs, rentals, and leagues than the current recreation center, including three full-sized basketball courts, fitness rooms, strength and cardio rooms, and an elevated walking track
- More meeting and event space options
- Added outdoor recreation amenities that will include an amphitheater plaza, pickleball and tennis courts, a walking path, outdoor restrooms, a sledding hill, and a dog park
- Connectivity to Hess-Hathaway Park by way of a trail connection on the property
