TUSTIN : New Gym Will Expand Recreation Programs

The city’s recreational programs are getting a big boost from the new Columbus Tustin Gymnasium, which city officials dedicated Saturday.

The $1.6-million facility at Columbus Tustin Park houses a wide variety of classes offered by the city Community Services Department, plus after-school programs serving middle-school students.

Councilman Jim Potts said the gymnasium “fills a need in the community that has been a long time coming.”

“My concern is to have organized activities for kids that give them an option of having constructive time versus destructive time,” Potts said. “I think we haven’t had a lot of recreation options in the city over the years, compared to some cities.”

Margarete Thompson, who heads the city Parks and Recreation Committee, described the new gym as a versatile facility that has been nearly a decade in the planning.

“It’s a great asset to the city,” she said. “There are so many people in this town that will benefit from it.”

The main feature of the nearly 15,900-square-foot gym is a championship court for basketball or volleyball that has an electronic scoreboard, suspended hardwood floor and bleacher seating for 250 spectators.

Two additional courts can be used for basketball or volleyball.

Recreation classes offered at the gym include martial arts, aerobics, gymnastics, arts and crafts, and dance. Basketball and volleyball leagues are forming for youth and adults.

The new gymnasium is in the northwest corner of the park near Prospect Avenue and Beneta Way.