It was a beautiful weekend for progress, and attendees of the Southlake Community Recreation Center groundbreaking event on Saturday would agree. Under blue skies members of the community and Southlake City Council gathered around the future location of the rec center located at the southwest corner of Bicentennial Park.
The nine to noon public event included breakfast and lunch, along with entertainment from the Southlake Community Band. Mayor John Terrell presided over the ceremonial groundbreaking, which included presentations from City Council members and city administration and recognition of the many volunteers who helped bring the project to fruition.
“The groundbreaking of Phase 1 of the multi-purpose Community Recreation Center marks an important step in the development of this community and represents the collaborative efforts of many dedicated people,” said Mayor John Terrell. “I am very proud that we have been able to respond to the wishes of our citizens and improve the quality of life within Southlake while doing so through conservative fiscal practices.”
An outline of the 105,000 square-foot multipurpose building was painted to give visitors a true to life representation of the size of the complex. Informational kiosks complete with 3D renderings were placed throughout the facility's footprint and designated the approximate locations of each of the highlighted areas of the recreation center.
The rec center will be completed in two phases. The groundbreaking on Saturday marked the start of construction of Phase 1, which is already 100 percent funded. Phase 1 of the project includes an events hall, multipurpose conference and meeting spaces, a club lounge, a catering kitchen, a senior center, and an outdoor amphitheater and events space. These are all part of Phase 1 of the project and each are expected to open late 2015.
Phase 2 will include spaces for fitness, performance training, gymnasium, indoor jog/walk track, indoor aquatics, indoor playground, party rooms, early learning classroom, child watch and multipurpose classrooms for programs. Funding for Phase 2 requires voter approval, and if approved, Phase 2 construction would begin in the Fall of 2016, with an estimated completion date of early 2018.
“Breaking ground for Phase 1 of Southlake's community recreation center was a milestone event for the City of Southlake,” said Southlake Community Services Director Chris Tribble. “City staff has worked with the City Council, and Boards and Commissions in a collaborative effort since 1996 to turn this priority in our community into a reality. The groundbreaking was very exciting as it was the first step in bringing the facility to life."
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