Ozarks catches up with community center trend

|tab|

Catch-all community centers are springing up in Springfield's bedroom communities, and according to Michael Sapp, designer of three of them, it's a national trend that is just reaching the Midwest. |ret||ret||tab|

Nixa and Willard have opened community centers in the last three months, while Republic breaks ground for its new facility this month. Springfield and Branson are getting in on the act as well. |ret||ret||tab|

Sapp said a master plan has been completed for a new community center in Branson, but a site has not yet been selected. Springfield's $4.5 million Doling Family Center at Doling Park is under construction and is scheduled for completion in summer 2003.|ret||ret||tab|

"What we're seeing happening here in southwest Missouri is on a much smaller scale compared to what's going on across the country," said Sapp, president of Sapp Design Associates Architects PC. |ret||ret||tab|

|ret||ret||tab|

First to the center |ret||ret||tab|

Nixa was the first outlying community to build a state-of-the-art recreational center. The Nixa Community Center, built by R.E. Smith Construction, opened in late April and had 8,000 people come through its doors the first month, said Shawna Flannery, Nixa's superintendent of parks. |ret||ret||tab|

It also is the only local center with a pool. Flannery said it's common for about 550 people a day to utilize the outdoor aquatic center. |ret||ret||tab|

"We're definitely exceeding all of our projections," Flannery said, referring to the 9,000 patrons last month. "For a small community like this, it's been amazing what this facility has done. I think the community center has been such an eye-opener as far as bringing people together in the community." |ret||ret||tab|

The aquatic center comprises 11,000 square feet of water space with slides, play and water features, swimming lanes, diving boards, shade structures and full-service concessions. Other features of the 35,000-square-foot, $3.85 million center include an elevated running track, gym, aerobics and fitness areas run by St. John's Health System, a day care, classrooms, meeting rooms and pool changing areas.|ret||ret||tab|

|ret||ret||tab|

Growing needs |ret||ret||tab|

Republic may have been ahead of the times when it constructed its first community center 12 years ago, but its increasing population now at 9,500 has since outgrown the center. The community has approved the construction of a second facility more than three times the size of the first.|ret||ret||tab|

Masonry Structures Inc. will break ground this month for the $3.1 million center, said Greg Chadwell, Republic's community development director.|ret||ret||tab|

The new facility is the largest community center planned at 46,000 square feet. It will have two community rooms, a kitchen, concessions, two gymnasiums, a walking track, offices and a 10,000-square-foot fitness area operated by Cox Health Systems. The estimated completion date is July 31, 2003.|ret||ret||tab|

|ret||ret||tab|

In good health|ret||ret||tab|

A recurring theme for the centers in Nixa, Republic and Willard is a lease agreement with a Springfield health care provider.|ret||ret||tab|

Since opening June 10, the main attraction at Willard's $1.3 million community center has been the Cox Fitness Center, said Willard's community service director, Jared Keeling.|ret||ret||tab|

He said there are already 170 members and hopes are for 300 members in the first year.|ret||ret||tab|

Sapp said both parties benefit from the partnerships. The community centers receive an additional revenue source, while the hospitals get their names out in the surrounding communities.|ret||ret||tab|

"It's an excellent marriage because it brings an experienced provider into the community for that service," he said. "It's also a way for hospitals to reach out."|ret||ret||tab|

|ret||ret||tab|

Bringing it home |ret||ret||tab|

The appeal to many communities is that the centers allow people and their money to stay within their cities. |ret||ret||tab|

"We're keeping tax dollars in Nixa," Flannery said. "People are not going to Springfield for the pool, so they are not shopping there. They are shopping here (and) buying their gas here." |ret||ret||tab|

Sapp said there are three main reasons construction of the community centers is growing in the area, including the lesser dependency on Springfield.|ret||ret||tab|

"They want to bring it home, so to speak," he said. "They want their recreation, fitness, wellness and social activities to all be within their community. These communities have gotten big enough now that they can afford and begin funding those types of facilities." |ret||ret||tab|

Second, he said, there is an increased interest in athletics. |ret||ret||tab|

And finally, families are looking for ways to do more things together while socializing with community members. |ret||ret||tab|

"The idea of a destination spot to perform all of those activities, plus socialization within the community, is a real big theme," Sapp said.|ret||ret||tab|

[[In-content Ad]]