Tate, 38, lives in Starkville, but works as a barber in Ackerman, more than 20 miles to the west.
On Mondays, Tate is off work and doesn’t have to make the arduous drive into Choctaw County. And these days, he’s happy because he has a new place to hang out during his time away from the shop.
The brand new Starkville Sportsplex multi-purpose building opened this month on Lynn Lane and has provided citizens like Tate with a place to play basketball, racquetball and many other sports in the two weeks since. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today.
Tate spent Monday morning playing basketball on the facility’s indoor courts and planned to bring his son, Tyson, 8, back to shoot around after he finished school in the afternoon.
“I love it,” Tate said as he stood on the free-throw line and drained a shot through the net. “I wish we would have had something like this a long time ago.”
The facility features two basketball courts, which also can be used for volleyball and badminton. Patrons also will find two racquetball courts, an aerobics room, a three-lane walking track, a stage, concession stand, conference and meeting rooms and administrative offices.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department will offer several camps and classes at the facility this summer, including everything from sports, karate and yoga to ceramics, arts and crafts.
Tate coaches youth basketball in the area and believes the multi-purpose building will benefit local children.
“It’s going to help the kids, especially,” Tate said. “It ain’t about guys like me. It’s all about the kids. A lot of them don’t have any place to go.”
After opening comments at tonight’s grand opening, attendees will be greeted by a racquetball demonstration, an aerobics presentation and refreshments. Patrons also will be able to tour the facility and use its amenities for free.
The building has been under construction since October 2007 and was completed at a cost of about $5.5 million, Parks and Recreation Department Assistant Director Matthew Rye said.
Looking around the finished facility Monday, Rye was pleased with the finished product.
“It was definitely worth the wait,” Rye said.
So far, attendance at the facility has been pretty steady, Rye said. The basketball courts have been averaging 70 to 80 players per night, he said.
Use of the facility’s indoor walking track is free, but patrons must pay $2 for a wristband to use the basketball and racquetball courts each day.
The facility is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Times are subject to change, Rye said.
Tim Pratt is the Starkville Bureau Reporter for The Commercial Dispatch.
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