West Laurel

Local news covering the West Laurel and Burtonsville areas

West Laurel Recreation Council: Neighbors Serving Neighbors

The West Laurel Recreation Council (WLRC) is a self-supporting group of interested volunteers, offering various educational, social, and recreational programs to the citizens of West Laurel. All WLRC activities and events happen because someone in the neighborhood “makes it happen.” We get lots of good publicity, some administrative support, and can borrow equipment from the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), but most staffing is provided by neighborhood volunteers. One activity is the annual family swim night.

This year’s WLRC Family Swim Night will be on Friday, February 16, from 6:30 until 9:00 pm at Fairland Sports & Aquatic Center. Here is your chance to get exercise: swimming, water walking, or playing in the leisure pool with your family. Adults can sit and relax in the spa. For West Laurel residents, admission is free; for others, admission is $6 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. Non-swimmers can watch from the balcony or socialize in the meeting room upstairs. For West Laurel residents, there will be refreshments after the swim. Note: no toys or non-Coast Guard approved flotation devices are allowed. For more information, contact Rush Kester at rwkester@aol.com or call 202-213-1869.

Speaking of Fairland Sports and Aquatics Complex...

Many people aren’t aware of this top-notch athletic facility, located at 13820 Old Gunpowder Road. The Fairland Sports and Aquatics Complex (FSAC) has programs for all ages, including seniors and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Just a few of the FSAC’s many activities are described below:

• Every Monday/Wednesday/Friday, from 8:00 am to 12 noon, FSAC offers Senior Fitness Room Days. Anyone age 60 or older may use the exercise equipment and weight room. At all other times, the appropriate fitness pass is required for access. There are personal trainers on hand to show people how to use the equipment.

• Therapeutic Recreation programs are available for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are residents of Prince Georges County, provided through MNCPPC. As part of this program, Fairland offers AquaFit classes for ages 18 and older. Additional therapeutic recreation classes and social clubs for individuals with disabilities and veterans are available at other MNCPPC locations.   

Burtonsville Crossing, a once-thriving shopping center located at the northeast corner of Routes 29 and 198, sat nearly vacant for many years (above left). It is currently undergoing a massive renovation, with the grand opening of its first new tenant, Sprouts Farmers Market, in late January.

Photos: (left) Richard Friend, (center and right) courtesy of EDENS

Sprouts Grocery Anticipates January Opening Date in Burtonsville Crossing

Sprouts, the first business announced as part of the renovated Burtonsville Crossing shopping center, has now set a tentative opening date, according to its website. The grocery store’s tentative plan is to open on Friday, January 19, a little bit later than the previously anticipated date of November 2023. Sprouts was the first to sign a lease for Burtonsville Crossing, and the opening will mark the grocery chain’s first Montgomery County location. In the past, when opening a new store, Sprouts has often hosted a “pop-up party” in front of the store to give guests a chance to taste seasonal produce from the tasting bar, play games, have their faces painted, watch artists carve large produce, participate in a special “guess the weight” contest of an oversized piece of produce, and more. The family-friendly activities generally last for the entire opening weekend. When the grand opening date is officially announced, Sprouts will confirm any activities or celebrations coinciding with it.

Please help me help our community by providing news of upcoming events to include in the West Laurel neighborhood column! Send me an e-mail  at WestLaurelVoices@gmail.com, and please call me Ginny!

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Virginia May Geis is a native of Laurel and a graduate of Laurel High School, class of 1975. After a few decades away, she has been a Laurel resident again, since 2018.