New OAC Almost Complete, Set for Soft Opening Next Week

By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

The Oxford Park Commission is hoping to open the doors to the new $11 million Activity Center next week, at least for a few basketball games.

“We are hoping to get our Certificate of Occupancy Wednesday,” said OPC Director Seth Gaines. “If that happens, we hope to start playing some games starting on Jan. 22.”

Through the rest of January, Gaines said the plan is to open for basketball at night and in February open the upstairs and commons area. The large gymnastics area is expected to be complete by the end of March.

“April 1 we should be completely operational,” he said.

Most of the construction for the gymnastics area is finished, however, bids on the equipment will be taken later this month. The gymnastic room includes an in-ground trampoline and pit area. The entire room can be divided by drop-down dividers to create smaller areas for younger children. A viewing area on the second floor behind a large glass wall will allow parents to sit and watch their child.

Also on the second floor is a commons area that will be filled with arcade games, ping-pong ball tables and other activities. Access to the walking track and basketball viewing area is also located on the second floor.

Back down on the first floor are the basketball courts, under motion-detection lights, that are divided using painted lines. The white lines mark two full courts, the black lines mark out four junior courts – two for small children and two for older children, the red lines mark four pickleball courts and green lines mark two volleyball courts with a removable net in the middle of the courts.

The nets all move sideways to adjust for age groups and height.

The new building, a total of 33,000-square feet of space also has large classrooms for other OPC programming, workout space, offices and a break room.

Gaines said renovations to the older building will include creating more classrooms going from two to five that will be used by the Leisure Lifestyles program and other OPC classes and activities.

Gaines said he looks forward to parents, children and community members to see the finished product.

“This is an activity center that they deserve,” he said.

The Oxford Activity Center is located at 400 Price Street, across from the Oxford Police Department.