By Jan Axelson
Northside News
The wait is over — the new addition to the Warner Park Community and Recreation Center (WPCRC) is ready for use. I met with Zach Watson, Warner Park Facility Manager, to tour the addition and learn about the changes.
Watson, a Northsider, has a long history with the center. He recalls being excited as a youth to have an indoor space to play basketball when the center opened in 1999 “instead of having to shovel the courts at Brentwood.”
The most visible change at WPCRC, 1625 Northport Drive, is a beautiful new gym, called the Blue Gym for its floor markings. The gym more than doubles the space available for teams, neighborhood groups and open play. A flexible design supports multiple games of basketball, pickleball and volleyball as well as events such as parties and graduations. Mobile bleachers can be set up as needed.
Upgraded display and sound systems include a shot clock, a countdown timer used in professional and college basketball. The original gym, now called the Green Gym, has been renovated and is scheduled to reopen June 1.
Watson reports that neighborhood groups from all around the Northside and beyond are coming to the new gym space and that use is “through the roof.” Open gym hours are available for different age groups and for men and women.
An atrium area connects the new and old parts of the building and will display art. The former workout room is now a studio for yoga and other exercise classes. The workout room has moved to the former game room.
The locker room has been completely redone with a focus on offering privacy. The original craft rooms and spaces for meetings and events remain available.
Improvements to the kitchen area were made possible by funding from the Madison Parks Foundation. Using input from the folks at Rooted (home of Troy Gardens), the kitchen has new equipment to support community cooking, including classes and events for children and youth.
The construction included upgrades to make the entire building more energy efficient. A federal grant funded a new geothermal heating and cooling system. The system transfers heat to and from a series of wells buried northeast of the building, removing the need to rely on fossil fuels. Solar panels provide a portion of the building’s electricity.
Contractor Vogel Bros. finished up at the end of 2025, with WPCRC’s staff managing the finishing touches. A grand opening and ribbon cutting is scheduled for July 8, likely around midday. Next up will be improvements to the original building, including painting, new technology and opening up a room currently used for storage.
If you haven’t taken advantage of what WPCRC has to offer, I recommend checking it out. It’s one of the best deals around, right on the Northside. To participate in programs, there is a $5 yearly membership, with a discount for families. The fitness center and pickleball courts have an additional fee per use. Fitness and arts classes offered by Madison School and Community Recreation (MSCR) have fee waivers available for eligible residents.
Other regular events include Warner Family Fun Nights and lunches for older adults, with a requested donation, hosted by NewBridge. To learn more about events, activities rentals and more, visit cityofmadison.com/parks/wpcrc or just stop in at the front desk.
Also in Warner Park, this fall will see new pickleball courts and other improvements in the southeast end of the park. The new courts will replace the existing tennis courts. At Warner Beach, a new walkway will provide access to the beach and lake from an accessible path.
