By Associated Press
Cullman AL – Construction begins Monday on a $14.5 million water park in Cullman.
The city's Wellness and Aquatic Center at Chester Freeman Park will meet the needs of young and old when it opens in the spring of 2009, said John Hunt, director of the city's recreation department.
The Cullman City Council approved the bid for the center about two weeks ago. The project is being paid for through a bond issue.
Plans include a large gym, exercise areas and three pools that will be the centerpiece of the water park.
Cullman parks officials said they looked at other facilities in Troy, Dothan and Gwinnett County, Ga.
"There's nothing like this one that's got it all," Hunt said.
The entire center and water park will be handicapped-accessible.
The 78,000-square-foot indoor portion of the center will include a regulation-size high school gym that can be divided into two sides for multiple volleyball or recreation basketball games. A walking track will be built upstairs along the perimeter of the gym.
Cullman has a gym now that is used by 42 basketball teams, Hunt said. During the day, it doubles as a senior center.
McCrory Building Co. of Birmingham will be the general contractor. Burleson Pool Inc. of Huntsville will build the pools. Lose & Associates of Nashville designed the project and Counsilman-Hunsaker of St. Louis is the pool designer.
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Information from: The Birmingham News
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