The Bayfield Area Recreation Center is a true community facility, featuring an indoor pool, fitness room, hot tub, racquetball court and meeting room. Open to the public year-round, the Recreation Center services over 30,000 annual visitors of all ages. For many, the Rec Center is a place to exercise, stay healthy and spend quality time with friends and family. Some, including many seniors, do rehabilitative and preventative exercise that they could not function without. The Rec Center provides a very important place in our battle with childhood obesity and diabetes. Every Bayfield School student, grades 1-12, takes swimming lessons at our pool.

It was in August of 2006 that non-profit Recreation and Fitness Resources (RFR) took over operations and management of the Bayfield Area Recreation Center.  Assuming financial responsibility for the Rec Center seemed like an impossible task at the time, but here we are three years later with a healthy and thriving facility.  The credit for our success is due to the support of the entire community.  From the School District of Bayfield providing capital improvement dollars, to the 27 businesses collecting 1% for Recreation donations, to the crazy people who plunged in March and their donors, it has been a total community effort to keep our doors open.  The recent Point to LaPointe Swim to Madeline Island this summer was a great example.  The race is growing, bringing 300-400 visitors to the area, and is getting rave reviews because the whole community pitches in to put on a great event. 

From August of 2006 to June of 2011, the Rec Center has:
--hosted 141,568 visits, including 29,050 visits by seniors and 49,686 by children
--given financial scholarships to 121 families of 378 people to become members
--increased memberships from 180 to a current 271
--cut gas use by 57% and electricity use by 40%
--earned Wisconsin Travel Green certification 4 years in a row
--helped the Red Cliff Summer Food Program give away 7,627 free lunches and snacks
--obtained $49,398 in competitive grants
--established membership and use programs with Red Cliff Health Center, Red Cliff Youth Center, Mishmois House, Northern Lights Health Center, Bayfield County, the School District of Bayfield, St. Louis School, Bayfield Head Start, Red Cliff Head Start, and South Shore School.

Thank you to our community for your support!

Thanks also to our community partner, CORE Community Resources.  CORE helps seniors stay independent, active and valued members of our community. www.corecr.org

Come down and try out our new sauna!  Ages 16+, Open during reguarly scheduled pool hours.

We are sorry to announce that the hot tub has been closed for a number of months to allow us to plan a major reconstruction.  It's problems are many - a 1000+ gallon-a-day leak, non-compliant drains, and outdated piping.  We are looking at a comprehensive solution to these problems that will likely require jackhammering and major reconstruction.  Our goal for reopening is September 1.  The good news is that our new sauna is open to the public--please use it!