A $10 million contribution announced during Monday’s celebration of The Barn AI data center project could significantly reshape the future of the Saline Recreation Center, a city-owned facility that has been grappling with long-term funding and sustainability challenges.
The pledge was announced by Jeff T. Blau, CEO of Related Companies, during an invitation-only event at the Saline Township data center site attended by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and other business and political leaders.
“A few months ago, Saline Mayor Brian Marl, and his team gave Related and Oracle a tour of the Saline Rec Center,” said Blau. “Our team came back and said this is something we can invest in to really make a big impact…I’m honored to share that related digital, Oracle, Open AI, Walbridge, and Blackstone will be making a $10 million donation, the funds we are pledging will specifically support a scope of work the rec center task force identified to expand the aquatic center, update the locker rooms, rehab the pool deck, and more.”
Blau said the contribution would support improvements at the Saline Recreation Center as part of a broader package of community investments connected to the project.
The announcement came as city leaders are actively evaluating the future of the recreation center and exploring options for long-term financial sustainability.
Earlier this year, the Saline City Council established the Rec Center Task Force Implementation Team, a group charged with helping guide the facility’s future.
According to city documents, the committee’s responsibilities include developing long-term funding strategies, evaluating potential millage options, pursuing grants and partnerships, and reducing reliance on the city’s general fund while maintaining affordability and accessibility for residents. Documents describe a facility facing significant capital and operational challenges.
The committee was directed to help identify sustainable funding solutions, review an analysis of the facility, prioritize capital improvement projects and develop strategies to increase membership and community engagement.
The task force is also reviewing how to utilize approximately $2.7 million in federal appropriations secured through the offices of U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell and Sen. Elissa Slotkin for recreation center improvements.
Questions remain about the details of the $10 million pledge, including how the funds will be administered, whether they will be paid directly to the city, whether they are restricted to specific projects and when the money will become available.
The recreation center contribution was one of several community-benefit commitments highlighted during Monday’s event. Project leaders also cited commitments of $8 million for Saline-area fire departments, $4 million for farmland preservation and $2 million for a community investment fund.
The Barn development, a partnership involving Related Digital, Oracle, OpenAI, Blackstone and Walbridge, is projected to represent more than $16 billion in investment and is being promoted as the largest economic development project in Michigan history.
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