New recreation center features facilities for entertainment, fitness and more
- 7/16/10
- Categorized in: DeKalb News
Redan Recreation Center opened its doors in Lithonia July 10 with a grand opening ceremony to introduce the 24,000 square-foot facility that features a gymnasium, an indoor walking track, a fitness facility, aerobics and dance classes and a multi-purpose room.
DeKalb County spent $5.7 million to complete the center, the12th recreation center to be built in the county, according to Roy Wilson, director of Parks & Recreation. “This is a great recreation center, not only for children, but for adults and seniors, too. There’s something here for the entire family. Redan Recreation Center was built for recreation, entertainment, wellness and to serve families.”
Facility Manager Jackie Swain said the center’s users have a lot to look forward to at the new facility. “Everyone can benefit from the fitness and wellness services,” she said. “We also have life-skills classes, pottery, arts & crafts, dance, and we’re accepting proposals from instructors to teach computer classes and GED classes.”
One of the biggest attractions right now is the Redan Walking Club, from July through August. “It’s an eight week challenge and is open to all ages,” Swain said.
Among the amenities at Redan Recreation Center, is an Internet-ready computer lab with eight workstations. The game room has a foos- ball table, two pingpong tables, two pool tables and a collection of board games. At the indoor gymnasium center visitors may enjoy the indoor track, which overlooks the four goals on the basketball court.
For $30 per month, residents may purchase a membership for the weight room. The upper-level room holds treadmills, a universal gym machine, three elliptical machines and three stationary bikes. Dumb bells and free weights are coming soon, according to the center’s tour guides.
DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis, county commissioners Connie Stokes (District 7), Larry Johnson (District 3) and Lee May (District 5) were on hand to celebrate the center’s opening.
“This facility is more than a recreation center,” said May. “It’s more than a community center. Redan Community Center is a community builder.
“This is great for DeKalb,” said Johnson. “It connects the community with assistance for our young people and provides life skills. Here, parents are connecting and neighborhoods are connecting. This is also our youth connection, right here.”
Redan Recreation Center is located at 1839 Phillips Road, Lithonia. For summer 2010, the center is open 7 a.m. -9 p.m. Mondays – Thursdays, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturdays. The center is closed on Sundays.
Thank you!
I really hate they did not put an indoor pool in this park. I have to drive my kids to Mountain Park in gwinnett or Johnson Park in Rockdale so my children can swim in a indoor pool. Maybe parks and rec can work something out with DCSS for the area High School swim teams don't have to travel to Columbia high school. You have about 15 high school sharing one school pool. All from the eastside of Dekalb.
If you can't provide something positive then don't respond at all.
1. reduce the "high crime" because most of the minor crimes that occur in that area are a result of misguided teens who don't have available resources where they can apply their time and energy in a positive, constructive, and/or "recreational" way.
2. to add more beauty to the "slum" area and promote pride in community appearance, care, and to overall eliminate the "slum" itself.
On another note I still don't understand why school facilities aren't used for the surrounding communities when they are closed. If they were you wouldn't have to build rec centers.
Don't look it as a High Crime Area.. look at is a a better environment for kids and teens to hang out and have fun that we wont get in trouble for..
Thanks
Sounds like a decent project for east metro. Certainly an added bonus for the residents in that area.