REC of Grapevine nears completion

Photo by Sherelle Black

Facility to combine Senior and Community Centers

By late spring or early summer, Grapevine residents will be able to swim in the city's first indoor pool. The pool is just one of many features that will be part of the brand new $30.1 million REC of Grapevine building, which is replacing the Communities Activities Center.

Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Mitchell said The REC, which stands for recreation, education and community, will be 108,000 square feet, which makes it more than twice the size of the original center built in 1996. Mitchell said the new facility will also be the new home of the Senior Activities Center.

"I think it's great that the Senior Activities Center will be going in The REC," he said. "They will able to have dedicated classrooms and lounge areas, whereas now a classroom may have to be used for other purposes. This new center is going to open the possibilities for new and improved programs for the age 55-and-up residents of our city."

The SAC will have its own separate entrance and check-in desk, a senior lounge equipped with a fireplace, bookcases and card tables. Besides having the city's first indoor pool, Mitchell said the REC will also house the city's first indoor playground along with a child watch room for members using the facility. He added The REC will contain 10 family changing areas or independent rooms that have a toilet, changing benches and showers.

"This is another unique aspect of the center," Mitchell said. "This is the first in our area to provide this for families who don't want to bring their small children into restrooms or locker rooms."

The REC will also have a spray ground near the pool in the shape of Texas with different cities marked.

Before The REC opens, the city will host VIP/open house events from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 and March 2 at the Grapevine Public Library in the community room located at the front of the library. Mitchell said the purpose of the open house events is to inform residents of what will be going inside The REC, discuss programs offered and answer any questions.

Memberships are on sale now and can be purchased at the CAC Annex, 1250 William D. Tate Ave., Ste. 100, Grapevine. Membership and passes start at $5. A limited number of free "The REC" shirts are available to those who register soon, while supplies last. If residents purchase or renew now they can use the annex for free until The REC opens. For more information, visit www.playgrapevine.com.