The City of Manchester used the location of the Little Duck River as a focal point in developing the city’s recreation complex. By creating a linear greenway system, three parks are now connected to the center. The idea of a recreation center was formulated by the director and senior users that exercised in an approximately 4,000-square-foot facility. This group took the initiative for the new indoor recreation center to the city officials, and the project was approved and a bond program for the construction was authorized.
Wold along with the City, developed a program that created features and services new to the area and components that appealed to a wider market of consumers from outside their immediate area. The center has “standard” components common to most recreation facilities, such as the gymnasium with alternating basketball-volleyball courts and an elevated walking track which provides an excellent view of the downstairs amenities. The building also has a wellness center with free weight training, an instructional service to users, two racquetball courts, and a climbing wall. The downstairs includes meeting spaces, which are adaptable for aerobics, dance, and gymnastics instructions, and general administrative spaces. A dedicated area for younger children is also available for patrons to drop their young children off while they participate in programming at the center.
In addition, the recreation center provides a premier natatorium with an outdoor aquatics area including a lazy river, a double slide, many play features, and a zero entry pool area, that gradually deepens to 4.5 feet so moms with young children can come to the pool, as if they “are on the beach.” The indoor area of the natatorium provides a six-lane pool for lap swimming and a warm water therapy pool for exercise and small children. The indoor and outdoor pools are both serviced by the indoor shower and locker rooms. This area of the center also provides a meeting room which is used by participants for “parties at the pool.”