The new Eisenhower Recreation Center, located at 2850 Kirkwood Drive in Manhattan, is complete and ready to open to the public. The official ribbon cutting ceremony will take place this Sunday, September 26 starting at 2:00 PM. Eisenhower Rec Center will open to the public with modified hours starting Monday, September 27. The facility has been open for USD 383 to use for sports and physical education programs since the start of the semester.
Members of the City Commission and USD 383 Board of Education, and City of Manhattan staff will speak at the grand opening event and provide insight into the project. After the ceremony, guests are invited to explore the space and sign up for a free MHK Rec Center membership. Parks and Rec will provide refreshments, giveaways, and door prizes at the event.
“The completion of the third indoor recreation space represents the culmination of many years of planning and effort,” said Edward Eastes, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department. “The new Douglass Activity Center, plus Anthony and Eisenhower Rec Centers, are facilities the community can be proud of and will enjoy for years to come.”
Construction began on the new Eisenhower Recreation Center in 2020, in partnership with Eisenhower Middle School and USD 383. During the school day, half of the facility will be closed to public access and reserved for use by the school. In the evenings and days USD 383 is not in session, 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 CivicRec 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:
- 48,000 sq. ft. of indoor recreation space
- 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
Eisenhower Rec Center will open to the public with modified hours starting Monday, September 27. Updates will be posted online at https://www.mhkprd.com/eisenhowerrec.
“We’re planning to close the Eisenhower Rec Center a little early for the first several weeks as we work to hire staff and gather information about the needs of the community,” said Eastes. “Hours of operation will be posted on the Parks and Rec website, or people are welcome to call us at 785-340-3349 for more information. We’ve found that few people are visiting the other facilities in the late evening hours and we plan to make adjustments to the schedule as needed.”
tThe recreation centers will be closed New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
COVID Requirements
All visitors and staff will be required to wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose when indoors at all City of Manhattan facilities, including City Hall, Douglass Center, and Anthony and Eisenhower Recreation Centers. The requirement applies to people older than two years of age, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated. The decision to require masks indoors was made in response to CDC and Riley County Health Department (RCHD) recommendations for areas with high or substantial transmission rates. Signs will be posted at the entry of each facility and masks are available upon request.