When it opens next month, Denver’s new Carla Madison Recreation Center will be a marvel of the parks system, from its outdoor climbing wall and bouldering rock to separate lap pool and children’s pool areas to a stacked-floor design that makes it the city’s first truly urban facility.

Throughout, the center gets plenty of natural light and, from some vantages that include a rooftop deck, has stunning views of downtown and the mountains to the west.

The nearly complete $44 million project is at East Colfax Avenue and Josephine Street, across the City Park Esplanade from East High School. The Denver Post recently took a tour inside the 67,000-square-foot, five-story center — the city’s first new recreation center since 2011 — on a recent morning, as workers set up weight and cardio equipment and focused on finishing touches. (Scroll down to see photos inside and outside the building.)

A grand opening for the rec center is set for 3 p.m. Jan. 8, with the doors opening for public use at 5:30 p.m. That opening was recently pushed back nearly a month, but Denver Parks and Recreation officials say the reasons, including an issue involving backup generator power to the elevators, were minor.

“This is going to be a nationally recognized facility,” predicted John Martinez, the deputy executive director overseeing recreation. “It’s the first urban rec center (in Denver) in terms of going vertical — having a gymnasium over the pool. It’s just a unique design.”

The center features bright-red floor tiles and other red accents throughout in honor of its namesake, Carla Madison, a longtime neighborhood advocate for City Park West who was known for dyeing her hair bright colors and wearing vibrant clothing.

While serving a term on the City Council, Madison died of cancer in 2011, at age 54.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post Work is almost complete at the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post Workman Craig Love, left, and Ken Burton, right, check out the view from the 2nd floor balcony that overlooks the outdoor plaza at the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post A workman finishes a concrete pathway in the outdoor plaza at the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.



Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post Workman Barry Dunn gets ready to install security cameras on the fifth floor of the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The fifth floor offers sweeping views of the Denver skyline and the front range mountains. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.

Public art on the outside

Visitors are greeted outside the entrance with a noticeable piece of public art, a wall-covering piece called “Circuit,” for which artist Erik Carlson received a $165,000 commission from the city. The installation includes LED lights that are connected to equipment in the weight room and will change colors as the linked machine is used.

East of the building, a public plaza includes gathering areas as well as a bouldering rock that invites visitors to climb it.

Designed by Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture and built by Adolfson & Peterson Construction, the project has been expanded in scope and budget several times, with support from Mayor Michael Hancock.

Additions to the original design included a rooftop event space and a climbing wall with an auto-belay system — a braking apparatus for climbing lines — that’s on a balcony.

Before construction began, the city had used the site as a popular dog park. Soon, a new dog park is set to open on the northwest part of the property.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post Chris Hale, with Denver Parks and Recreation, works on cleaning the kids pool in the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post Chris Hale, with Denver Parks and Recreation, far right, works on cleaning the kids pool in the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post Water flows through features in the new kids pool in the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.



Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post Chris Hale, left, with Denver Parks and Recreation, works on cleaning the kids pool in the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post Workman Craig Love, left, and Ken Burton, right, watch as test water flows through features in the new kids pool in the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post A worker checks on the 8 lane competitive swimming pool at the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.



Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post An 8 lane competitive swimming pool is one of the many new amenities at the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post Chris Hale, left, with Denver Parks and Recreation, works on cleaning the kids pool in the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.

Two pool areas on the garden level

Visitors enter the rec center on the second floor, which contains the check-in desk, administrative offices, a “child watch” facility and a multipurpose community room. From balconies along the main hallway, the pool areas are visible below, on a garden level.

This cool giant pouring water bucket will soak kids in one of two natatoria at the new Carla Madison Rec Center.

Story here: https://t.co/klP0opWQ78 pic.twitter.com/2C4CdC8cAl — Jon Murray (@JonMurray) December 7, 2017

On the north end of the building is a lap pool with eight lanes, which East High’s swim team plans to use for practice. Closer to East Colfax is a children’s play area that — with a lazy river, tube slide and splash pools, as well as big water features — is more a kid-size water park than a pool.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post A large cardio and fitness center with lots of natural light is one of the many amenities at the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The fifth floor offers sweeping views of the Denver skyline and the front range mountains. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post A large cardio and fitness center with lots of natural light is one of the many amenities at the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The fifth floor offers sweeping views of the Denver skyline and the front range mountains. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post Gabriel Martinez works on installing a power rack weight system in the large cardio and fitness center at the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The fifth floor offers sweeping views of the Denver skyline and the front range mountains. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.



Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 29 - A regulation size basketball court with 6 baskets that can go up and down for kids and adults is one of the many amenities at the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on November 29, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The fifth floor offers sweeping views of the Denver skyline and the front range mountains. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Gym level includes large cardio/weight room

One of the challenges of a multifloor rec center will be keeping tabs on what’s going on, Martinez says. So the building includes 47 security cameras to help staff keep tabs on the place.

That’s less of a challenge on the wide-open third floor, which houses a full-size basketball court (with sideways practice courts), a cardio/weight room with a two-story ceiling and access to the outdoor climbing wall. That feature is likely to be open only at certain times, Martinez said, given the need for staff monitoring.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post Painter Joe Garcia walks past windows on the fifth floor of the new Carla Madison Recreation Center that offer sweeping views of the Denver skyline and front range mountains on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post Barry Dunn works on installing one of 47 security cameras found through out the new Carla Madison Recreation Center offers sweeping views of the on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.

Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post The fifth floor of the new Carla Madison Recreation Center offers sweeping views of the on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.



Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post This is a multi-purpose room for dance or yoga in the new Carla Madison Recreation Center on Nov. 29, 2017 in Denver. The fifth floor offers sweeping views of the Denver skyline and the front range mountains. The stunning new recreation center, located at 2405 East Colfax Ave, is set to open to the public in early to mid-January 2018. The $44 million project has the kids' pool as well as an 8 lane competitive swimming pool, a regulation sized basketball court, a fitness and cardio workout center, a yoga and dance room as well as amazing views from its 5th floor conference center among many other things.

Upper floors: Fitness room and rooftop deck

On the fourth floor, group fitness classes will use a room with a view — as well as a garage door on the western windows that can make it open-air.

And on the fifth floor, the rooftop event space has a large gathering room, again with a garage door, a catering kitchen and a deck that has the best views of the city and the mountains.

Another vid from the Carla Madison Rec Center – this from the rooftop, showing the view. Best at the end.

Story here: https://t.co/klP0opWQ78 pic.twitter.com/uPczQ0zaGm — Jon Murray (@JonMurray) December 7, 2017

The top floor won’t be open to the public, but it will be available for rent — and might be perfect for a small-to-medium wedding and reception.

How much do memberships cost?

The Carla Madison Recreation Center is expected to be most popular in Denver’s 28-facility system, with 31,000 projected users each month, Martinez said.

Memberships will be at Denver parks’ “regional center” level, the costliest of three tiers. That level provides access to any rec center, with a pass costing $30.75 a month or $332.10 a year for adults, with a day pass costing $6. The city offers a cheaper membership for young adults and free access to residents 18 or younger.

Starting Jan. 2, the city is launching the MY Denver PRIME program, which will allow free access to recreation centers for residents 60 and older.