MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) – A multi-million dollar community recreation center in Northeast Wisconsin is finally opening this weekend after decades of planning and discussion.
The grand opening weekend of the Community Rec Center in Marinette was a long time coming for those involved in the process.
Melissa Ebsch, Marinette Marketing and Tourism Director, says the discussion about a center has been ongoing for more than 20 years.
She says it has taken proactive local government, community support, and an influx of donations to get to this point.
“You know how sometimes times are just right, you have the right people and everyone together,” she says. “This was that time.”
The $16 million, 113,000 square foot facility features three distinct buildings all under the same roof.
First, there’s an ice center, which will host hockey, figure skating, and curling.
Secondly, a turf center that can house a number of sports, such as baseball, softball, soccer. Officials believe they also will be able to host various indoor track activities in the near future.
Lastly, a convention center is included, which could be used for a number of different events.
“Concerts, conferences, different exhibition shows, whether it’s a home show [or] a trade show,” says Ebsch. “We’re working on a business expo.”
And they’ve already hit the ground running with their first booked event.
“Our first event begins on March 1,” she explains. “It’s Friday Night Fights, it’s called Rumble at the Rec, it’s a boxing event.”
With all these different amenities housed in one central location officials believe this will bring people from all over Northeast Wisconsin to Marinette.
“So instead of traveling five-hours, let’s say, now you only maybe need to drive an hour or an hour-and-a-half,” she says.
The opening weekend will be kicked-off with a three-day hockey tournament, which begins on Friday.
For Ebsch, it all seems still a little surreal.
“The stars aligned,” she says. “Everything just fell into place.”
