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Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatic Center on schedule, coming together

The Sportsplex is still on target for a July opening.

By Beverly Harvey Staff Writer
Published: March 13, 2009

When Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller visits the Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatic Center construction site, he sees more than a future recreation and fitness facility.

He also views the $32-million project as a “great source of civic pride” for the community, and one more tool to help recruit new companies to Opelika.

“This will be another quality-of-life benefit of being in Opelika,” Fuller said Thursday after completing his sixth tour of the construction site on Andrews Road.

Fuller was joined by members of the Opelika Parks and Recreation Department and the local media. The group of about a dozen people walked through the two-story building, which was bustling with construction work.

The indoor track on the second floor has begun to take shape. The group fitness room is also starting to come together. Downstairs, the basketball goals were on the gym floor waiting to be erected.

Electrical outlets have been installed in the cardio area, game rooms, adult activity center and meeting rooms to accommodate audio/visual equipment, including televisions, video game systems and LCD projectors.

Construction has begun on the 25-yard, heated swimming pool that will allow access for swimmers in wheelchairs and on restrooms that will have centrifugal dryers to dry wet swimsuits and sweaty gym clothes in 10 seconds.

Construction work was also going on outside in the amphitheater and splash park areas.

The sports complex is on schedule and slated to open in July, Fuller said.

bharvey@oanow.com | 737-2546