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St. Albans opens McKinley rec center, schedules May 8 ribbon-cutting and expands summer events
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Summary
City leaders say part of the former McKinley middle school will serve as a new community recreation center with a gym, classrooms, locker rooms and expanded programming; an open house and ribbon-cutting is set for May 8. The facility will host youth open gyms, leagues and community events.
City of St. Albans Mayor Scott James and Parks and Recreation Superintendent Kevin Pennington described the conversion of part of the former McKinley middle school into a community recreation center and announced an open house and ribbon-cutting on May 8.
The center will include a gymnasium with a stage that can double as a batting cage, locker rooms, two classrooms, the former band room and the old home economics room. The county has transferred a portion of McKinley to the city; the county will complete renovations including enlarging locker rooms, installing new bathrooms and adding two offices, Kevin Pennington said. The football field will be controlled by the city, and tennis courts and the walking track may be added later if feasible.
Pennington said the center already hosts local youth leagues and teams: “We have both of our youth, little leagues, our softball and baseball have utilized this,” he said, adding that travel basketball, youth volleyball and even a roller-derby team have used the gym. He described open-gym hours and a new staffing position funded through program revenue: students with a valid school ID can use open gym for $1 Monday–Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Nonprofit groups and St. Albans schools may rent the gym for $20 an hour; other renters will be charged $35 per hour.
Mayor Scott James characterized the conversion as a long-sought community asset and encouraged public turnout for the May 8 event. “We have some VIPs invited,” Kevin Pennington said; doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the ribbon cutting is scheduled for 6 p.m. The ribbon-cutting and follow-up program are open to the public, Pennington added.
The city is promoting a busy summer schedule tied to the facility and other Main Street activities, including Movie Nights on Main (scheduled for July 25, Aug. 1, Aug. 15 and Aug. 29) and Roadside Park live-music events. Officials said earlier events at McKinley (a boxing match, pageants and other shows) already drew visitors who shopped and dined downtown.
Next steps: the city will finalize space renovations with the county and publicize programming and rental procedures through the Parks and Recreation Facebook page and the city website. The open house and ribbon-cutting are scheduled for May 8; the city encouraged residents to attend.
