A Community Recreation Center to meet the needs of Southlake citizens has been a priority in the Parks Master Plan since 1996.  The Community Recreation Center has also been ranked as one of the top priorities in the 2009 Citizen Survey, the 2010 Feasibility Study and the 2011 Citizen Survey. 

In August 2009, the City Council, Southlake Parks Development Corporation and Parks and Recreation Board made the development of a potential Multipurpose Community Facility their number one priority for the FY 2010 SPDC Capital Improvements Program.  Staff was directed to complete a feasibility study for a Multipurpose Community Facility that could potentially include a recreation center, senior center, library and cultural arts facility.

During the feasibility study process, City Council narrowed the scope of the facility to a Community Recreation Center.  Potential components of the Community Recreation Center include an indoor running/walking track, fitness areas with cardio & weight equipment, gymnasiums, group fitness spaces, a children's indoor playground, arts and crafts rooms, youth/teen activity spaces, child watch & early learning spaces, a 300 person community/events room, catering kitchen and administration/building support spaces.  The proposed Community Recreation Center also includes dedicated space for senior adult programs and events, and the option to include indoor aquatics features.

The proposed Community Recreation Center concept plan was accepted by City Council at their June Retreat in 2012, and the decision was made to locate the facility at Bicentennial Park.  On September 18, 2012, the City Council adopted a revised Bicentennial Park Master Plan which includes a Community Recreation Center on the southwest corner of the park.  The plan has been incorporated into the Southlake 2030 Parks, Recreation & Open Space/Community Facilities Master Plan which was adopted by City Council in March 2013.