New $2 million community activity center completes
'Field of Dreams' in Dandridge, TN.
Completion of a $2 million activity center represents the "last piece of the puzzle" in a process that began nearly 20 years ago at Dandridge's "Field of Dreams" park.
Construction workers are putting the finishing touches on the 225 by 120 foot building, which is expected to open to the public next month. The date of a grand opening is yet to be set, but it will complete the town's move from having next to no recreation facilities to being a regional center for sporting events and other activities.
"This is the last piece of a puzzle that started back in the early '90s, when several of us with young kids realized there was no place for youth baseball and other sports," said Kevin Pipes, president of the volunteer support organization Dandridge Recreational Facilities, Inc., (DRF). "We ended up making a proposal to city council, and the partnership grew from there."
Pipes and other members of DRF were meeting with city officials to present a check for $20,000 that will pay most of the cost of a full set of cardio equipment (12 machines) for the new center, construction of which began in late March.
"This support means a great deal to the town and the citizens," said Mayor George Gantte. "We're very excited about opening the new center and the contribution it's going to make to community life."
The city has hired a recreation director, Kevin Craig, and assistant director, Chris Shockley. They're already busy planning activities and events at the center, and council has approved a rate structure, including annual passes (see list at the end of this story).
"There are unlimited possibilities for this building," said Craig. "League play and tournaments in basketball and volleyball, banquets, meetings, concerts, home and garden shows — you name it."
For residents looking to improve their general health and fitness, the building offers an elevated walking track, a full range of cardiovascular equipment, basketball courts, and a six-station weight machine. In the works are yoga, Zumba, aerobics, line dancing, and other fitness classes. The facility has a meeting room for gatherings and parties, and bleacher seating for 300 makes it perfect for larger events. The bleachers can also be rolled back to make room for boat, garden, and fishing shows with easy access thanks to a large overhead door. The building will also be a wireless hotspot.
The building, designed by architects Dollar & Ewers and constructed by C. Laney & Sons, has an open, spacious feeling with plenty of natural light when you walk in the front door. All sports floors have a slightly padded coating called Pulastic that is easy on the joints.
The activity center's hours of operation will be 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Daily rates will be $4 for city residents 18 and up ($6 for outside-city residents), $2 for youths 12 to 17, and $2 for seniors 60 and over who live inside the city ($3 for seniors who live outside town). Children 11 and under are free with parent's fee (supervision required).
Annual passes will be available soon. For city residents, they will cost $125 for individuals and $250 for families. For those who live outside town, annual passes will be $250 for individuals and $325 for families.
The activity room will rent for $20 per hour and the pavilion for $25 per time slot (slots available are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) Half a gym will rent for $20 per hour, a full gym for $40 per hour, and both gyms for $80 per hour. Stage rental is a $25 flat fee. Long term and special event rentals will also be available.
The center is located at 1145 Treadway Drive, Dandridge, TN 37725.
(article & photo by Steve Marion. Printed in Standard Banner, July 19, 2012 pg 1 & 2A)
CONTACT DRF by any of the following ways:
Email us directly. wtreadway@bellsouth.net
Our online Contact Form
Cell: 865-654-0394
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Funds donated for cardio equipment
Dandridge Mayor George Gantte (second from right) accepts a $20,000 check from Dandridge Recreational Facilities, Inc., (DRF) to the town for cardiovascular equipment at the new activity center. With him are (from left) Angie Donahoo of DRF; Wayne Treadway, vice president of DRF; Mike Chambers, member of Dandridge Council and representative of DRF; Recreation Director Kevin Craig, DRF President Kevin Pipes, DRF representative and city public works director Gregg Gann; Leda Pipes; and Assistant Recreation Director Chris Shockley. They are holding memorabilia from the development of the Field of Dreams park. (Staff Photo - Steve Marion)
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