FAQs

At this time, the working title of the project is "Southeast Community Center". As plans for the design and construction of the facility are finalized, an official name will be determined and then used in all future communication and signage.

The SECC will be located on 10 acres at the corner of Rock Creek and Ziegler, next to Fossil Ridge High School. The land for this project was donated by Poudre School District.

Planning and design work are underway and will continue throughout 2025 and 2026. Construction is estimated to begin in late 2026 or early 2027. Construction will continue through 2027, and is anticipated to be completed by 2028. As the project timeline evolves, updates will be provided regularly.

The City will fund its share of the project from both the 2015 Community Capital Improvement Program tax and the 2050 Parks and Recreation tax, passed by voters in 2023. The City has also received a $2 million grant from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). The land was donated by Poudre School District, and Poudre LIbraries is contributing funding for the library portion of the facility. Additionally, the City will contribute funding towards the shared spaces, site costs, aquatics, and recreation areas.

Poudre School District entered an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the City and Poudre Libraries in 2023. Their commitment, per the IGA, is to fund a portion of the indoor lap lanes, supporting spaces and the site. The exact amount of the contribution will be determined upon completion of the design. The value of the land that PSD donated to the project will be credited to the amount owed by PSD for the agreed-upon contribution to the project.

The easiest way to stay informed about the new Southeast Community Center & Library project is by sharing your email via the subscription link on the Our City page. As opportunities become available for public input and participation, we'll share those with subscribers, as well as through both City and Library social media channels and websites.

The ballot language approved by voters was as follows: This project will build a Community Center in southeast Fort Collins focused on innovation, technology, art, recreation, and the creative process. The Center will also have a large outdoor leisure pool with water slides, sprays and jets, decks, a lazy river, and open swimming area.

Once the budget is finalized, we will release more information on the specific amenities that will be part of this facility. We anticipate spaces for community use, childcare, recreation programs, fitness, sports, and indoor lap lanes. The inclusion of amenities and features will be dependent upon space allowances, budget constraints and input from community users.

The footprint of the new library and shared community spaces in the planned SECC will approximately double the amount of available space for library activities and services compared to Council Tree Library.

It is also worth noting that many of the amenities currently located inside Council Tree Library—such as public restrooms and a large meeting room—will be moved to the shared commons area at the SECC, outside of the library. This opens space within the new library to expand collection displays, seating and gathering, public technology, and study and small meeting rooms.

Work, Meet, & Study 

Browse & Discover

Play & Learn 

Innovate & Create

Gather & Connect

The new library will deliver on the community priorities, library best practices, and emerging service trends shared in the master plan:

• Flexibility in space, furniture, and equipment use to meet the needs of different activities within each space
• Adaptability to support evolving services over the building lifespan
• More choices for individual, collaborative, and social spaces
• More space for children to learn, play, and discover
• Flexible and wide shelving for better browsing and discovery
• Creative spaces for maker programs
• Large program and events spaces
• “Undesigned” space for visitors to use as needed

The new library will not include space for administration and support services as recommended in the master plan.

The Library District anticipates $23 million in expenditures for the SECC project. (As of 12/1/25; subject to change.)

The Library District is currently exploring funding options and has not finalized its funding plan. All figures below reflect anticipated costs and may vary based on factors such as construction costs, market conditions, interest rates, etc.