Bee Creek United Methodist Church, 3000 Bee Creek Road, Spicewood, is set to open a new gymnasium Feb. 26 to serve members of the greater Spicewood community.

The facility is the only non-school gymnasium in the area and includes a regulation basketball/cross-court volleyball court with viewing areas, gathering places and a large classroom.

Bee Creek United Methodist Church is set to open a community gymnasium Feb. 26.[/caption]

The church plans to share the space with local youth sports leagues, fitness classes and other recreational activities beginning this fall.

“Having a gym for youth has been part of the dream of this church since the founding of this church—a place we wouldn’t just use for ourselves but could benefit the community,” Pastor Laura Heikes said. “It’s part of our DNA as a church to serve our community. This is a need we knew we could meet. There are not many gyms in our area and lots of kids that play sports.”

The $2.4 million project was funded through donations, she said.

“[The project] began with one donor who saw that we cared about the community,” Heikes said. “This person attended our church but wasn’t a member. The [individual] saw that we cared about the community and offered us $1 million as a three-to-one matching grant.”

She said the remaining $1.4 million was contributed by church members over the past few years.

“[The new facility] is something we have all done together,” Heikes said.

Bee Creek UMC was founded in 2004 and has more than 500 members.