MANHATTAN —Two celebrations will take place to mark the grand opening of the new Anthony Recreation Center located at 2415 Browning Avenue. An official ribbon cutting ceremony starts at 3:30 p.m. Friday with members of the City Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Steering Committee members, as well as City of Manhattan and USD 383 staff. Mayor Wynn Butler and USD 383 Board of Education member Katrina Lewison will speak. The event will include the “first shot” of each sport to be played in the facility, followed by a free throw challenge between members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and City Commissioners.
Then from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday the community is invited to stop by for an Open House to see the new recreation center firsthand. People who visit will be able to explore the 48,000 foot facility, ask questions, and sign up for a free MHK Rec Center membership. Parks and Rec staff will be giving away door prizes along with drawing chances to win free season passes to Manhattan’s Aquatic Centers.
The public is invited to attend all events.
Construction began on the new Anthony Recreation Center in 2020, in partnership with Anthony Middle School and USD383. During the school day, half of the facility will be closed to public access and reserved for use by the school. In the evenings, the entire facility will be available for public use unless it has been reserved for a tournament or other special use.
There is no cost for daily walk-in use but all participants are required to have a CivicRec account and must check-in at the front desk each visit using their free MHK Rec Center membership. Adults can register for a Civic Rec account online through the Parks and Rec website. Participants under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian age 18 or older.
Amenities of the new recreation facility include:
- 4 Basketball Courts
- 4 Volleyball Courts
- 8 Pickleball Courts
- Portable Indoor Turf
- 2 - Batting Tunnels
- 3-Lane Elevated Walking Track (10 laps = 1 mile)
- Multi-Purpose Room (can be divided into 2 spaces)
- Catering Kitchen/Concession Stand (events only)
- Officials Change Rooms
- Spectator Viewing Areas
- TV/Media Lounge Area
- Lobby/Front Lounge Area
In addition, the new Eisenhower Recreation Center is still under construction, but it should open later this summer.