Excitement Builds for New Recreation and Aquatic Center in Enterprise

ENTERPRISE, Ala. (WDNews) – With a smile on his face, Billy Powell, Director of Community Services and Recreation for the City of Enterprise, took a moment to put into words what the new $23 million Recreation and Aquatic Center means to him and the Enterprise community.

“You can see our dreams coming to life. I can’t wait for it to open,” Powell said.

Construction is expected to be complete in September on the 70,000 sq. ft. under-roof facility, making it the largest municipal facility in the City of Enterprise. But, the work is far from over. Once the keys are turned over to the city, the process begins to outfit it with furniture and equipment. Powell said he expects the Recreation and Aquatic Center to open to the public in late 2024 or early 2025.

“It’s coming along really well. Everywhere I turn around, people are asking about it. They are excited, they can’t wait to get in, to see it, to use it, and to enjoy it.”

Mayor William E. Cooper and members of the Enterprise City Council recently visited the site, with Powell leading them on a tour.

“This facility is second to none,” Mayor William E. Cooper said. “We look forward to using it for not only recreation and aquatics, but also programs, tournaments, and special events. Our citizens should be proud to have this in Enterprise. I know I am.”

Once inside the main building, visitors will find a large welcome area, leading to the administrative space, gymnasiums, fitness equipment, and program space. The new construction ties directly into the old Moose Hope Gym, which has been updated to include air conditioning and additional cosmetic upgrades. The indoor courts will include basketball and volleyball nets suspended from the ceiling, which can be changed out to accommodate not only those sports, but others as well, depending on the set program schedule.

“This space is going to be a huge win for our athletic programs,” Powell said. “When we first designed this facility, we geared it toward athletics because that is the growth that we have been seeing for the last five years in Enterprise. We can see the future potential there as well.”

A Facility for All

The state-of-the-art cardio room overlooks the parking lot on Lee Street. Nearby, there’s a weight room full of new machines as well as rooms dedicated to programs.

Jenny Brown was hired in June to serve as the Enterprise Parks and Recreation Department (EPRD) Fitness and Facility coordinator.

“Jenny is an asset to our team as she brings years of knowledge and experience to our programs,” EPRD Superintendent Blake Moore said. “She has a lot of ideas when it comes to programs and fitness that we cannot wait to see come to life once we get into the new facility.”

Moore said additional key positions will be added to the staff, as well as several part-time positions. Those job openings will be posted in the coming months, as well as next spring, ahead of pool season.

“We are excited to get back to where we can have swimming opportunities,” Powell said noting the previous pool had been closed for years as it was outdated and no longer operational. The new space will include a general swim/competition pool with six, 25-yard lanes on one side and zero depth entry with a water play structure for younger swimmers to enjoy. The nearby pool house and locker room include a blue, grey, and white color scheme that is also reflected on the exterior of the building.

The outdoor space, Powell said, can be rented for private events or to potentially host special activities like a polar plunge or “dive-in” movies.

“This new facility will allow us to offer another venue for our citizens and visitors if they’re looking to host a special event, we hope to recruit more tournaments to come and utilize these facilities, and we hope to offer even more activities for our community to enjoy. The opportunities are endless.”

Powell credits Mayor Cooper and the Enterprise City Council, as well as other city departments for their hand in the project.

“I believe this facility has met the vision of Mayor Cooper and the Council. We couldn’t do this without their support. Several departments have been involved from Engineering to Public Works, the Fire Department, and the Water Department. They’ve all helped us get to this point. It’s truly been a team effort.”

Community-Wide Benefits

Speaking of other city departments, once construction is complete, the new facility will house not only Enterprise Parks and Recreation, but the other departments that fall under community services. Previously housed at Enterprise City Hall, the City of Enterprise Tourism and Community Relations Director, Special Projects Coordinator, and Main Street Executive Director temporarily relocated to the third floor of the Rawls Hotel. All three will move to the new building on Lee Street this fall.

“We still have a long road ahead of us,” Powell said. “It’s not an easy process. It’s not just snap your fingers. A lot went into the funding for it, figuring out the final design, and then the construction. Once we complete all that, we are going to be smiling from ear to ear, having big grins on our faces. It’s going to be a great celebration for the city.”

Powell said the contractor is doing its part to stay on time and on budget. This is the largest project the city has undergone as a city facility.

“When we have the grand opening, we want everybody to come out. This will be an opportunity for them to see what is available to the community. We hope they are as excited as we are and know this facility will serve our citizens well for years to come.”