Donning white hard hats, Enterprise city leaders Wednesday toured the construction site of the new Recreation and Aquatics Center on Lee Street. The $23-million facility is projected to open by the end of 2024.

“We are proud to see the work being done on this premier facility for the citizens of Enterprise,” Mayor William E. Cooper said. “We look forward to utilizing this state-of-the-art facility and know it will serve our community well for years to come.”

City Engineer Barry Mott and Director of Community Services and Recreation Billy Powell led the group through the hour-long tour that included the pool house, locker room, gymnasiums, and administrative/office space.  Participants were also able to view the initial layout of the kiddie pool with beach entry and general swim/competition pool that will feature six, 25-yard lanes.

“There are a lot of moving pieces to this complex project, but I am proud to say that we are on time and on budget,” Barry Mott said.

During the tour of the locker room, Mott pointed out the different materials chosen, to include ceramic tiles. The blue, grey and white color scheme will be used throughout.

“Careful consideration was put into each of the materials and finishes used in this project. For example, we selected tiles that will easily be kept clean. Hopefully in 30 or 40 years, it will look the same as it does the day the facility opens,” Mott said.

Once complete, the new facility will be the largest municipal facility in the city. The gymnasium areas and activity rooms equate to 70,000 square feet under roof for public use for sports like pickleball, basketball and volleyball, as well as meeting rooms, program/activity space and concessions.  The new construction also ties into the old Moose Hope Gym.

“Thanks to the vision of Mayor Cooper and members of the Enterprise City Council, our citizens will be able to enjoy this incredible facility that will be the talk of not only the town, but of the Wiregrass and the state,” Billy Powell said. “We are appreciative of their support as well as the citizens of Enterprise who supported this project. We can’t wait to invite everyone out for a grand opening once the project is complete.

The M.N. “Jug” Brown Recreation Center was decommissioned in June 2022. The groundbreaking for new facility was held in January.