Broken Arrow Community Center and Swimming Pool at Nienhuis Park
Allocation: $6,000,000.00
Summary Update:
Construction of the Community Center was completed in February 2007. The swimming pool was completed in June 2007. The City of Broken Arrow had $238,372.92 in undedicated allocation, used partially for additional sun shade structures and picnic shelters. In addition, drainage improvements around the pool were completed in April 2014. The City of Broken Arrow chose to use remaining funds to add parking lot lights to the Community Center, completed in May 2016.
Background:
Up until the past few years, most of Broken Arrow’s growth has been in the south and southwest portion of the city. And while those areas continue to grow, the new trend in “hot” development – both residential and commercial – is in the north and northeast.
A vital cog in Broken Arrow’s residential explosion has been its “quality of life.” There is not a single quadrant of the community which is not built around families. One of the reasons so many of those families are now calling Broken Arrow “home” is its commitment to parks and recreation programs and facilities.
Broken Arrowans turned-out in a strong showing of support for Vision 2025 knowing that they would receive a direct benefit, and receive it quickly. Nienhuis Park, a 109-acre site between Albany (61st) and Omaha (51st), just east of Lynn Lane, was already being developed as a multi-faceted facility. A youth/community center was planned and under construction, funded by a bond issue passed by city voters in 2000. Partially funded in that same area was a youth football complex.
There were not, however, enough funds to forge ahead with Phases II and III of the community center project. Nor was there funding for a much-needed swimming facility in that part of the community. When voters approved Vision 2025, that funding became a reality.
The BA Parks & Recreation Department manages more than 800 acres of public land. Included are 38 parks, three outdoor swimming pools, the recreation center at Central Park (which serves as a Community Center for meetings, crafts shows, etc.), 16 outdoor tennis courts, 14 lighted softball fields, 16 lighted baseball fields, seven lighted and 18 unlighted soccer fields.
The youth football program currently uses some parks facilities for flag football and public school facilities for tackle. When the new complex at Nienhuis is completed, young tackle teams from all over Broken Arrow and the Tulsa metro area will enjoy one of the finest facilities for that sport anywhere.
A drive farther east into Nienhuis will take you from the “active” sports to the “passive” sports that have become so popular in Broken Arrow. There will be jogging and walking trails, and many ways to simply enjoy nature.
Broken Arrow’s parks also provide areas for entertainment programs in various parts of the city. The Indian Springs Sports Complex serves as the site of the annual Glory Daze 4th of July celebration. Central Park hosts a variety of musical concerts and Rooster Days in May. Jackson Park will have a small amphitheater.
Broken Arrowans of past decades had a “vision” for their community and laid the foundation for the quality of life enjoyed here today. Now Broken Arrowans of today created their own vision for the future in their support of Vision 2025, and will be leaving a legacy for generations to come.