The anticipation is almost over for the opening of a new, uniquely designed community center focusing on fitness and health in Cherry Hill. The Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks will open the Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center at 12:15 pm Tuesday. The $23 million project was designed and built with funding from the city, the state and the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership. Final preparations were made in the days before the center’s grand opening, but not even Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott was allowed inside without shoe coverings on a tour previewing what the facility offers.”It excites me to see that hard work in progress come to fruition, but it also inspires me and challenges me to push to go even further,” Scott said. The mayor and Rec and Parks Director Reginald Moore described the equipment the center features and its open-floor design.”Pretty much everything you need to work out in a facility is right here at Middle Branch. And, the unique cost of this, Mr. Mayor?” Moore said.”Free-99 is the cost, Barry,” Scott said. Use of the state-of-the-art facility is free for Cherry Hill families and all Baltimore City residents. It has an indoor aquatic area that can stay open year-round rather than just during the summer months. The pool features lap lanes, a sprinkler, a kiddie pool and a rock wall for climbing and a security gate to help prevent running. Moore also touted the glass and glazing of the building’s windows.” It saves us money long term from an energy standpoint because we can reduce the amount of lights we need to light this area because we have the natural light coming into the building,” Moore said. Rec and Parks officials said a green space just outside of the pool area is for families to host birthday parties and other events. In the gym, keypad controls raise and lower basketball hoops. Innovation, technology and flexibility are all part of the exercise rooms and classrooms, including a movable wall that also serves as a dry-erase board. To get to the track above, visitors can take the elevator or the steps. Or, as the mayor showed 11 News, use the run track. As 11 News walked around the new facility, the mayor explained how the project came together through vision and investment.” It also creates an environment where we can keep families and young people safe,” Scott said. Construction of three multipurpose fields continues, and a lighted football field is finished. The mayor said he hopes all of the elements will have a positive impact on an underserved community that’s now being heard and valued.
The Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks will open the Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center at 12:15 pm Tuesday. The $23 million project was designed and built with funding from the city, the state and the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership.
Final preparations were made in the days before the center’s grand opening, but not even Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott was allowed inside without shoe coverings on a tour previewing what the facility offers.
“It excites me to see that hard work in progress come to fruition, but it also inspires me and challenges me to push to go even further,” Scott said.
The mayor and Rec and Parks Director Reginald Moore described the equipment the center features and its open-floor design.
“Pretty much everything you need to work out in a facility is right here at Middle Branch. And, the unique cost of this, Mr. Mayor?” Moore said.
“Free-99 is the cost, Barry,” Scott said.
Use of the state-of-the-art facility is free for Cherry Hill families and all Baltimore City residents. It has an indoor aquatic area that can stay open year-round rather than just during the summer months. The pool features lap lanes, a sprinkler, a kiddie pool and a rock wall for climbing and a security gate to help prevent running.
Moore also touted the glass and glazing of the building’s windows.
“It saves us money long term from an energy standpoint because we can reduce the amount of lights we need to light this area because we have the natural light coming into the building,” Moore said.
Rec and Parks officials said a green space just outside of the pool area is for families to host birthday parties and other events.
In the gym, keypad controls raise and lower basketball hoops. Innovation, technology and flexibility are all part of the exercise rooms and classrooms, including a movable wall that also serves as a dry-erase board. To get to the track above, visitors can take the elevator or the steps. Or, as the mayor showed 11 News, use the run track.
As 11 News walked around the new facility, the mayor explained how the project came together through vision and investment.
“It also creates an environment where we can keep families and young people safe,” Scott said.
Construction of three multipurpose fields continues, and a lighted football field is finished.
The mayor said he hopes all of the elements will have a positive impact on an underserved community that’s now being heard and valued.
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