Castle Rock buries time capsule at new Sports Center, to open in 2027

Castle Rock buried a time capsule at the new Sports Center filled with more than 400 postcards from fourth-graders, along with videos, photos, maps and other memorabilia meant to preserve a snapshot of the town in 2026. The capsule will stay sealed until July 4, 2076, and open on the nation’s 300th birthday and Colorado’s 200th anniversary as a state.

The capsule is part of Castle Rock’s America 250 - Colorado 150 celebration. The Sports Center where it was buried is a 145,000-square-foot indoor recreation facility under construction off Prairie Hawk Drive on the former Acme Brick factory site.

Construction on the project began with a groundbreaking on Oct. 28, 2025, and the building is scheduled to open in summer 2027. The Sports Center is being built through a public-private partnership involving the Town of Castle Rock, Confluence Companies and Saunders Construction.

Castle Rock has not built a new gymnasium or competitive pool since 1988, when the town had about 8,000 residents. The new complex is planned to include competition and recreation gymnasiums, a competition pool, an indoor track, fitness areas, group fitness rooms, a spinning studio, child watch, party rooms and locker rooms.

Residents were invited to help shape the capsule this spring by filling out postcards and recording 30- to 60-second video messages. Postcards were available at Town Hall, Cantril School, the Castle Rock Recreation Center and Miller Activity Complex. Video recording sessions were held at Cantril School on April 1, April 14 and April 25, and contributions were accepted through Friday, May 1. Participants could also take home America 250 - Colorado 150-branded items, including a car decal or canvas tote, while supplies lasted.

Castle Rock’s commemorations also include Flag Day on June 14, the Fourth of July celebration at Festival Park and Colorado Day on Aug. 1. The Star atop the Rock will be illuminated from early July through Colorado Day.