Emergency Mechanical Failure Forces Early Closure of Waterford Recreation Center
A piece of Waterford Township history is closing its doors ahead of schedule, not with a planned farewell, but with an abrupt mechanical failure. Officials announced that the Waterford Recreation Center, often referred to as the C.A.I. Building, is permanently shutting down earlier than expected due to a “catastrophic” equipment failure, leaving community groups scrambling to relocate their activities.
The facility was originally slated to permanently close on December 31, 2025, a date already set by the Waterford Township Board of Trustees. However, a significant mechanical issue has accelerated that timeline by a full month. The culprit? The building’s entire boiler system failed, making it impossible to maintain safe and comfortable temperatures within the facility as cold weather sets in across Michigan.
The sudden closure is a difficult blow to the community, even though the building’s demise had been anticipated. The Recreation Center, located at 5640 Williams Lake Road, has served as a cornerstone of community engagement since it first opened in 1947. For generations of residents, it has been the home of programs, events, and countless memories.
Township officials had already determined that the cost of necessary repairs to keep the aging structure operating was no longer fiscally responsible. Citing the building’s “deteriorating condition” and “significant safety concerns,” the decision was made in October to retire the facility at the end of the year. The catastrophic boiler failure simply made a challenging situation untenable overnight.
For those who use the center, the immediate priority is finding new spaces. The good news is that the Waterford Parks and Recreation Department has already been working on a contingency plan for a long-term transition. All programs will be relocated to the Waterford Senior Center’s Leggett Campus and other township establishments to ensure services continue without major interruption.
Many classes and activities will resume quickly, with many slated to restart during the week of December 8 and others scheduled to pick up again in January. For participants who prepaid for classes that are now canceled due to the early closure, officials have confirmed that they will receive full refunds or prorated refunds for any partially completed programs. The department is also working closely with community organizations that utilized the center to minimize disruptions to their schedules.
Looking to the future, the community can still anticipate a modern replacement. A new Waterford Community Center is currently planned for the Oakland County College Highland Lakes Campus. This new facility, which will host both Leggett Center and recreation programs, is scheduled to open its doors in January 2028, promising a new era of recreational opportunities for Waterford Township.
In the meantime, residents are encouraged to stay connected with the Parks and Recreation Department’s website and social media channels for the most current updates on relocated program schedules and facility changes. This unexpected early closing marks a bittersweet ending for a cherished community landmark.