WSHCC
The West Side Heating/Community Center (WSHCC) is a City of Ann Arbor parks capital project that has been tracked by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB). 2 separate matters touch this project; each has its own status.
Willard Sherwood
The Willard Sherwood Health and Community Center (WSHCC) is a proposed health and community center project in the City of Fairfax, closely associated with senior services and intended to replace or supplement the aging Green Acres facility. The project faced an early setback in April 2025 when PRAB was informed it might not continue due to staffing and security concerns, with all trails-related work paused pending a City Council presentation on April 22, 2025.
- Jun 11, 2026Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 3Joint Senior Council Meeting
The Senior Council identified WSHCC as a park project they would like PRAB to advocate for, citing prior Senior Council advocacy for the project.
Thaiss Park
Thaiss Park is a City park undergoing full redevelopment, including new ballfields, a playground, adult exercise equipment, a clubhouse building, and related infrastructure. The City Council approved a $7,725,650 construction contract with Bright Masonry, Inc. on October 8, 2024, and the project was fully funded.
- Joint School Board Meeting
A meeting is scheduled for June 4th to show the impact on the existing Sherwood building and police station and present a better construction schedule; the current plan is to close half the building (including the Performance Space and Art Room) while continuing to operate in the other half. The WSHCC project was reported to have passed unanimously at a recent City Council meeting.
- Old Business – WSHCC Update
Different budgetary scenarios are being prepared; concerns include staffing and the cost of the building.
- WSHCC – Update
Overview given to new members; low/medium/high cost recovery options to be presented; heavy rental could recover costs but community prefers open gym time; next City Council vote is in September.
- Old Business – WSHCC Update
The next Council vote on the WSHCC is scheduled for September 30th; the Willard building is now vacant. The Van Dyck Master Plan CIP has been pushed out to ensure WSHCC is complete before beginning construction; a separate SCSCC update CIP was submitted contingent on WSHCC not including the performance space update.
- Old Business – WSHCC Update
The project is scheduled to go before City Council soon for a vote on the special land use permit.
In full
Through mid-2025, the project was in a planning and financial analysis phase, with staff preparing low, medium, and high cost-recovery scenarios to address concerns about staffing costs and the overall cost of the building; the community preference for open gym time over heavy rental usage was noted as a tension with cost recovery goals. The Willard building, associated with the project site, was confirmed vacant as of September 2025. The project required a City Council vote on a special land use permit, which was anticipated in late September/early October 2025.
By May 2026, PRAB reported that the WSHCC project had passed unanimously at a recent City Council meeting, giving the project an approved status. The Senior Council, which had previously advocated for the project, identified WSHCC as a priority they would like PRAB to continue to champion alongside the Van Dyck Park Master Plan.