Indoor Recreation Centers

Indoor Improvements

Two new 48,000 square foot indoor recreation centers are completing final construction on USD 383 property located next to Anthony and Eisenhower Middle Schools. Two multi-purpose gymnasiums at each site will accommodate drop-in public use, practices, programs, and tournaments. Anthony Recreation Center opened in May 2021, and Eisenhower Recreation Center is scheduled to open in August 2021.

A Steering Committee comprised of citizens with an interest in indoor facilities was appointed by the City Commission. The committee worked with the design team to develop goals, provide input on building concepts, and prioritize amenities to be included in the new centers. Members met from May 2018 through February 2019.

Amenities at each facility will include:

4 Basketball courts
4 Volleyball courts
12 Pickleball courts
Indoor Turf
Elevated Walking Track
Multi-purpose Classroom

Construction progress can be viewed on the Eisenhower construction camera.

Why Indoor Recreation?

The Strategic Facility Improvement Plan community survey showed the following needs:

87% of survey respondents preferred the City to develop and operate an indoor sports and recreation facility to meet the unmet needs of the community
91% of households with children younger than 10 prefer the City develop and operate an indoor facility
78% of households indicate space for indoor sports practices and training are not being met at all or space is providing below 50% of their needs

Indoor recreation was the No. 1 priority identified in the Facility Feasibility Study for the "creation of indoor space geographically located to meet unmet needs in the community."

Current (2017) Indoor Recreation Inventory & Use

The City of Manhattan currently has gymnasium space at City Auditorium (1 basketball court), and the Douglass Center (1 undersized basketball court). This space is used by Manhattan Parks and Recreation programming, including sports practices and games, choir and theater rehearsals, athletic camps, and staff training. The gyms are also used by the community for a variety of special events.

USD 383 has gyms that are used exclusively by the district until 6 p.m. For a few hours, each evening, a variety of school districts, Manhattan Parks and Recreation, and community organizations and athletic groups vie for time in their spaces.