New Sports Complex Opens In East Oakland
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- Oakland residents will be able to swim, work out and dance at a new sports facility that opened in East Oakland on Thursday.
The East Oakland Sports Center is a 25,000-square-foot state-of-the-art complex with fitness, aquatic and dance centers, tennis courts, a baseball field and a toddler area. It is located in William Patterson Park, near the Ira Jinkins Recreation Center and Gymnasium, on 9161 Edes Ave., according to the Oakland Office of Parks & Recreation, or OPR.
Oakland City Council President Larry Reid, who worked with OPR, pushed the concept for the new center forward. $11 million of funding came from Measure DD, which was passed by Oakland voters in 2002 to build better parks and have cleaner water. Other funds came from other city measures and state propositions. $2 million came from the Oakland Redevelopment Agency, OPR staff said.
A future unfunded plan for the center calls for an outdoor competition swimming pool, basketball courts, an elevated track and three soccer fields.
Soon to be available for public use is the 9,000-square-foot aquatic center with an indoor water park, complete with a water slide, lazy river and two-lane lap area. The fitness center will include cardio equipment, free weights and other fitness machines.
The dance studio is 3,300 square feet and will host youth and adult dance classes including, Chicago Steppin, jazz, tap, African dance and other group exercise classes.
City Council President Larry Reid with Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and other city officials celebrated the opening of the center on Thursday afternoon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, OPR officials said.
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