Rainbow City celebrates start of construction on new recreation center

City of Rainbow City celebrated the official start of construction on its new recreation center with a groundbreaking ceremony on September 6, 2024.  

City officials were joined by community leaders, residents and project team members to mark the occasion, which represents a significant milestone in further developing an area that has become a recreation and education hub for the community. 

Speakers honed in on the excitement that the new recreation center will bring. The center will not only serve Rainbow City, but the surrounding areas that also do not have a facility such as this. For example, residents and children of Southside, Steele, Ragland and more will be able to travel to Rainbow City to enjoy the amenities offered by the new recreation center. Picture children running around the splash pad, a swim competition starting their laps in the pool or a senior group learning to do Zumba. The new recreational center will be a haven for all age groups.

The 40,620-square-foot recreation center is being constructed on Lumley Road near John Jones Elementary School and Rainbow Middle School. In addition, the new facility is located in proximity to the site of the future Challenger Learning Center of North Alabama, set to begin construction by year end, and the Kia Sports Plex RBC. 

“The construction of our new recreation center couldn’t have come at a better time,” Mayor Joe Taylor said. “It aligns perfectly with our comprehensive plan for the city, fostering community wellness and economic development of our growing city. This center epitomizes our commitment to creating spaces where residents can connect, grow and thrive. It’s a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to provide a vibrant, healthy environment for all citizens. The additions of aquatics will allow our families to gather and enjoy the outdoors and spend quality time together while putting our students in a local venue to swim competitively.”

The Rainbow City Recreation Center will offer numerous amenities including a gym, indoor track, fitness room for group classes, multi-purpose room for exhibits, two basketball courts sized for tournaments, concession stand and locker rooms. The outdoor area will feature a competition-size swimming pool, splash pad, playground and stage area with tiered seating. All of these pieces of the recreation center will serve the community by increasing quality of life and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

“The recreation center is a dream come true,” Rainbow City Director of Recreation Philip Hollingsworth said. “This new facility will be a state-of-the-art facility that will offer swimming, basketball courts, walking track, splash pad, playground, as well as an amphitheater and meeting space. We will be able to offer our schools a place where they can hold graduations or other ceremonies that require a larger space than they currently have available. It will also be a place where we can partner with schools in hosting sporting events such as tournaments that will benefit the local sporting programs.”

Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) is providing architecture, geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, interior design and landscape architecture. Dominguez & Persons, a joint-venture between Dominguez Design-Build and Persons Services Corp, is serving as the general contractor for the project.

“Rainbow City’s leadership is truly to be commended for their vision for the new recreation center. They are intently focused on enhancing the quality of life for local residents and those in surrounding communities, and this facility is just one piece of the puzzle.” GMC Governmental Affairs Leader Jason Harper said. “Our team at GMC is grateful for the opportunity to design the recreation center and play a small part in the progress happening in Rainbow City and Etowah County.” 

The new recreation center is scheduled for completion in fall 2025.