City of Branson opens new RecPlex

A grand opening was held June 18 for the $12 million, 42-acre RecPlex, which features gymnasiums, an indoor running track, two community halls, Skaggs Health and Fitness Center and a 12,000-square-foot aquatic park.

“In the past, the Branson Parks Department has had to borrow school gymnasiums to run their programming such as basketball, volleyball, any camps that we might offer,” said Paula Morgan, RecPlex facilities manager. “We had some other ball fields that were scattered around. Now, everything can be held in one location.”

By next year, the RecPlex will have two large soccer fields, two 250-foot and two 300-foot baseball diamonds, Morgan said.

Funding

Most of the funding for the project has come from the city of Branson, said Jerry Adams, public information director for the city.

However, some funds came from the lease agreement and membership fees for Skaggs Health and Fitness Center.

For the past five years, Adams said, the city of Branson has been setting aside capital for the RecPlex.

During the grand opening festivities, between 1,600 and 1,800 people visited the RecPlex, and 847 visited the aquatics and pool area, Morgan said. She also noted that since grand opening day, the pool area has averaged between 350 and 400 daily visitors.

Splish splash

The aquatic park is more than just an upgrade from the 45-year-old, 55,000-gallon pool, which was equipped with one diving area.

The new 375,000-gallon, state-of-the-art pool can hold more than 1,400 people at one time. There also is a wading pool, a kiddie pool with a slide, two large water slides, large floating toys for kids to climb on and an interactive spray island, Morgan said.

“We went from six lifeguards on staff to 24,” said Bunny Gilchrist, pool manager.

Gilchrist, who has been with the department for 17 years, was the manager of the previous pool. Seeing this new facility become reality is especially thrilling for her.

“We are excited about the new place, and we hope the community comes out and can enjoy it as much as we do,” Gilchrist said.

But not everyone who visits the RecPlex is there for the water.

Ryan Phillips, manager of Skaggs Health and Fitness Center, said that an average of 70 people have been using the center each day.

Community benefit

The convenience of having all of the recreational programs in one location is the major benefit of the RecPlex, Adams said.

Due to an influx of residents and several annexations, the city’s population has grown from 6,050 in 2000 to about 6,500 now.

With the growth, Adams said the parks and recreation department will increase in importance.

Adams said more than 75 percent of those who participate in Branson’s parks and recreation programs live outside of the city limits.

“It will become a regional recreational complex,” Adams said.