As the days leading up to the City of Fulton Legends Rec Plex debut quickly slip away, time isn't slowing down for Parks and Recreation Director Clay Caswell.
Caswell and his department - aided by numerous other city departments - are attending to the final details before the Legends Rec Plex opens to the public Monday, May 17.
"It's probably going to be like the last three months, just go, go, go," Caswell said Thursday afternoon while sitting in his new office at the 45,000-square-foot facility. "We've had a deadline put on us but we've got to set a date (to open) at some point.
"As a Parks and Rec department, our problem right now is we're starting youth baseball, we're trying to get that going, we're trying to get the swimming pool open, trying to get the splash pad open. A lot of things are hitting at this time of the year It's going to be pretty crazy."
The Legends Rec Plex will not charge rates the first two weeks and will be open from noon-8 p.m. starting May 17, seven days a week through the end of the month. The facility will be closed Monday, May 31, to observe Memorial Day.
Starting Tuesday, June 1, the Legends Rec Plex will shift to its regular hours of operation and will begin charging daily and membership rates.
"We're excited to get people in there and let them see it, and see what it's all about," Caswell said.
Regular hours will be 5:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.
Membership rates are as follows:
Adult: daily, $5; monthly, $27; annual, $295.
Youth (ages 10-17) or senior (ages 60 and older): daily, $3; monthly, $16; annual, $175.
Senior couple: monthly, $22; annual, $250.
Couple: monthly, $35; annual, $380.
Family: monthly, $40; annual, $420.
For a 20-visit pass, adults will pay $80, and both seniors and youth $50. Corporate memberships will also be available.
Children under the age of 10 will receive free admission but must be accompanied by a paying adult. There is no fee to join.
"I think we did a really good job just researching other rec centers and trying to be competitive," said Caswell, who became Parks and Recreation director in 2005. "We know we're not Columbia, we know we're not Jeff City, we can't charge those prices.
"I think if you look at some of our fees, I think you'll find that they're very reasonable compared to other communities."
Features at the Legends Rec Plex include:
Fitness center (free weights and weight machines), with 24/7 access;
Cardio room (treadmills, steppers, bikes), with 24/7 access;
Basketball court;
Two volleyball courts;
Two-lane indoor track;
Turf fieldhouse (with netting);
Batting cage;
Game room;
Classrooms;
Banquet room (seats 180-200 people);
Concessions and kitchen.
Rental fees for the banquet room with kitchen access are $100 an hour, $500 for a half day (seven hours) or $800 for the entire day. Renting the banquet room without kitchen access is $75 an hour, $380 for a half day (seven hours) or $550 for an entire day.
"I'm super-excited (to open facility)," Caswell said. "My staff is very, very excited to get in here. They're ready to go - they're ready to do activities in here, programs.
"What I think about is how long it took us to get here - all of the people who had a hand in it. The Park Board was tremendous, a lot of the City Council members were tremendous in promoting this and pushing it. It took a lot of hard work by a lot of people."
Caswell appreciates the collaborative effort between Parks and Rec and other city departments in getting the Legends Rec Plex ready for its opening.
"I can't think of a department that hasn't been involved," Caswell said. "We've had sewer, electric, obviously the Parks and Rec maintenance guys, building and grounds are out here now, they've done a lot. IT (information technology), gas, water - pretty much the majority of them have been over here doing some work.
"It's challenging because all of those guys have got full-time jobs before this project."
Caswell sees the Legends Rec Plex as another option to enhance what Fulton can offer its residents.
"I think it just improves the overall quality of life for the people," Caswell said. "You don't have to go to Columbia, you don't have to go to Jeff City - you can find the same amenities here in this town.
" It kind of helps the community grow and makes you proud to be from Fulton."