March 25th, 3:30 p.m. is the date for the ribbon cutting for the new Douglass Activity Center at 925 Yuma in Manhattan.
City officials have announced that the new 21,000 square foot facility will be open to the public starting Friday, March 26th. Gym activities will include pickleball, pick-up basketball games and open gym play for volleyball, basketball, and pickleball on a first-come, first-serve basis.
There is an indoor walking track that will be free and open to the public during regular hours. It includes rest stations and a jump rope challenge station. Walking 13 laps around the indoor track will equal one mile. The fitness area with state-of-the-art cardio and strength training equipment will be open to adults, 18 years of age and older.
Speakers at the ribbon cutting will include Wynn Butler, Mayor, Ron Fehr, City Manager, David Baker, Director of the Douglass Center, Deb Nuss, Chair of the Center's Advisory Board and Wyatt Thompson, the Assistant Director of Manhattan Parks and Recreation.
David Baker, Director of the Douglass Center
After the ribbon cutting ceremony Riley County Police officers and Manhattan Firefighters will also play a basketball game on the new, indoor courts.
Construction on the facility began on March 6th, 2020 and will be completed with final equipment installation early next week.
"I've seen what a new facility like this can do for a community," said David Baker. "People will be amazed at the impact this new activity center will have on Manhattan. We're bringing people together.