Cecil Recreation Complex facts for kids

The Cecil Recreation Complex is a super fun place for sports and activities in Jacksonville, Florida. It's located on the west side of the city, at the Cecil Commerce Center. This huge park cost $25 million to build. It was part of a big city plan from 2000 called the Better Jacksonville Plan. The park will eventually cover about 1,500 acres (or 6 square kilometers)! The City of Jacksonville's Parks and Recreation department takes care of everything here.

A Look Back: History of the Complex

Before 1999, this area was a huge Navy base called Naval Air Station Cecil Field. It was massive, covering about 23,000 acres (or 93 square kilometers)! Even back then, the city of Jacksonville started a park here. That park is now part of the Cecil Recreation Complex.

Many cool things from the Navy days are still here for everyone to enjoy. These include an 18-hole golf course and several sports fields. You can also find picnic areas, playgrounds, and places to fish. The newer gymnasium and fitness center are also located in this historic area.

Awesome Facilities to Explore

The Cecil Recreation Complex has many different areas for all kinds of fun. Let's check them out!

Jacksonville Equestrian Center

The Jacksonville Equestrian Center is a very special part of the complex. It's a huge building, about 125,000 square feet (or 11,600 square meters)! It opened in March 2004. This center has 4,000 seats and hosts many exciting events.

You can see horse shows like Dressage and Rodeo. Famous horses like the Royal Lipizzan Stallions have performed here. Even local groups like 4-H have their horse shows. But it's not just for horses! The center also hosts loud Monster truck shows and exciting Demolition derby events. You might even catch music concerts or band camps here.

Community Center: Fun for Everyone

The Community Center is a hub for all ages. It offers programs for kids, teens, and senior citizens. There are even special activities for families who homeschool. You can learn computer skills here too!

Local groups can use the center for their meetings. If you want to host a special party or event, you can rent out parts of the center. It's a great place for the community to come together.

Aquatics Center: Make a Splash!

The Aquatics Center is a fantastic place to swim. It cost $5.7 million to build and opened in 2004. It has two main pools. One is an Olympic-sized pool, perfect for serious swimmers. The other is a family-friendly pool for exercise and fun.

Both pools are heated, so you can swim all year round! In the summer, large glass panels open up. This lets in fresh air and makes it feel like an outdoor pool. Many high school swim meets have been held here since 2004.

Besides open swimming, you can take lessons to improve your skills. There are even special programs for babies and toddlers. These are called "water babies" and "water tots." Many senior citizens enjoy the Water aerobics classes. A youth swim team also practices here during the summer.

Softball Diamonds: Hit a Home Run!

The complex has dedicated areas for softball players. The Cecil Fastpitch Softball Complex has four lighted fields. These fields are just for girls' fastpitch softball teams and girls' tee-ball.

There's also the Lake Fretwell Adult Softball area. It has two fields and two covered picnic areas. It's a great spot for adult teams to play.

Gymnasium: Stay Active Indoors

The gymnasium is a great place to get active. You can play open basketball or volleyball games here. There are also racquetball courts if you enjoy that sport.

The fitness center has everything you need for a workout. You'll find free weights and Nautilus exercise machines. You can do cardiovascular workouts or join senior aerobics classes. Personal training is also available. After your workout, you can relax in the saunas located in the locker rooms.