Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO — Residents are flocking to the recently opened Provo City Recreation Center, a facility complete with all the bells and whistles — workout facilities, water slides and an indoor track.
The 160,000-square-foot recreation center is just what the doctor ordered for people in Provo. Residents have been lining up for their turn in the facility and are excited to have a state-of-the-art facility to use.
"I didn't get any exercise except for walking around that place," said Provo resident Rick Roberts. "That probably got me a mile or two."
Roberts stood in line Monday with a mass of Provo residents, signing up for an annual pass at the new recreation center.
"The equipment works, it's new, and everything is brand new," he said. "How could you not want to come?"
The facility is family friendly, providing fun and exercise opportunities for people of all ages. Provo resident Tina Carter said her family is a fan of the city's recreation center and how clean and new it is.
"When we were here on Saturday, it was so nice and new and the kids really enjoyed it," Carter said.
Scott Henderson, director of Provo Parks and Recreation, said the city listened to what residents wanted in a recreation center, after voters approved $39 million in bonds for the facility in 2010.
"I think it's the sense of community you feel when you are in here," Henderson said. "It has got every activity that all generations, all families, would like to enjoy."
It has got every activity that all generations, all families, would like to enjoy ... This is truly what Provo's citizens deserve and what a community our size should have.
–Scott Henderson, director of Provo City Recreation
In addition to the swimming pools, indoor water park, indoor track and workout facilities, there are racquetball courts and 26 basketball hoops, including four full courts. The variety and number of options are bringing residents back day after day.
"I'll probably come here four or five days a week," said Josh Harris, Provo resident. "I'll try to at least. It's huge. It's state-of-the-art."
Not only are there docking stations for iPods on the treadmills, but some exercise machines have the ability to surf the web. And with two indoor water slides, an indoor water park, even a pool with dedicated lanes for competition, Provo City leaders believe the new recreation center will serve the community for generations.
"This is truly what Provo's citizens deserve and what a community our size should have," Henderson said.
The facility is open to anyone, including non-Provo residents. The daily rate is $4, but Provo residents qualify for a discounted annual pass.
