Grand opening of Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center creates smiles and county pride

Excitement and cheers rang through the front lobby of the new Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center on Saturday as the facility finally opened to the public nearly five years after construction on the 120,000-square-foot building began. “I have not been this excited since the Washington Nationals won the World Series,” County Councilmember Gabe Albornoz told an eager crowd during the morning’s grand opening ceremony at the center at 1315 Apple Ave. in downtown Silver Spring.