Trails Recreation Center: Facility Refresh (February 2026 Update)
Published: Monday, March 2, 2026
Phase 2 of the Trails Recreation Center Facility Refresh Project is officially underway, and February brought significant progress to the Gold Rush Room and Conestoga Room.
This phase focuses on fully refreshing these two popular event spaces, including major upgrades to the Gold Rush teaching kitchen. From structural improvements to fresh finishes, the transformation is well underway.
Demolition Complete & Infrastructure Upgrades
The month began with full demolition of both rooms and the existing kitchen area. With the spaces cleared out, crews quickly moved into electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-in work — the critical behind-the-scenes systems that will support the new lighting, appliances, and layout improvements.
Framing also progressed, helping reshape portions of the rooms to accommodate new features and improve functionality.
Teaching Kitchen Progress
One of the most exciting components of Phase 2 is the addition of a new teaching kitchen in the Gold Rush Room. February saw major progress in preparing this space.
Concrete was trenched to run new power and utilities to the future island range — a centerpiece of the upgraded kitchen. Electrical rough-ins for all new kitchen appliances have now been completed, ensuring everything will be ready for installation in the coming weeks.
Crews also completed drywall repairs and replaced sections that needed attention. Both rooms were patched and prepped, creating a clean slate for the finishing stages.
Work began on installing a new structural header beam to support the planned glass folding wall in the Gold Rush kitchen. This feature will allow the kitchen to open up into the room or close off as needed, creating a flexible space for classes, events, and rentals.
Fresh Paint & Ceiling Upgrades
As structural work continued, visible upgrades began transforming the look of the rooms.
The ceiling grid in the Conestoga Room was painted white, instantly brightening the space. Primer and paint preparation were completed in both rooms, followed by the first coats of paint going up on the walls.
New ceiling tiles were also installed in both the Gold Rush and Conestoga Rooms — a major visual milestone. The updated ceiling, combined with fresh paint, is already giving the spaces a cleaner, more modern feel.
Flooring Preparation Underway
Flooring preparation has begun in the Conestoga Room, marking the next step in the refresh process. Once installed, the new flooring will significantly enhance the durability and overall aesthetic of the space.
Looking Ahead
February was a foundational month focused on structural work, utility upgrades, and early finish improvements. While much of the work happens behind the scenes, these upgrades are essential to creating modern, flexible, and long-lasting spaces for our community.
In the coming weeks, you can expect continued progress on:
- Appliance installation
- Structural work for the folding wall
- Flooring installation
- Cabinetry and millwork
- Additional painting and finishing details
We are still on track for completion by early summer and are excited to share more updates as the transformation continues.
Thank you for your patience as we refresh these important community spaces. Stay tuned for next month’s update as Phase 2 moves closer to the finish line!
