Changes coming quickly at Ponca City RecPlex

Changes will be coming fast and furious at the Ponca City RecPlex as the Parks and Recreation Department takes over the former Ponca City Aquatic and Family Center – YMCA.

“We have the new sign ordered and hope to have installed before Jan. 2,” Parks and Recreation Director Eric Newell said Friday, Dec. 7.

What changes can we expect? Newell said there will be expanded hours starting Jan. 2; a reduction in memberships rates; and expanding programs.

“New programs will be coming fast and furious,” Newell said.

“Everything is still here,” Newell said of the equipment in the facility. “We have the two outstanding pools; the hot tub; sauna and steam rooms; a 40-foot rock climbing wall; the Kid Zone; free weights;

and cardio equipment. Everything will still be there.

“We’ve got this,” he said. “It’s going to be a lot of hard work on my staff, but we have an outstanding facility and an outstanding staff. We will be keeping all the professional staff that was here under the YMCA.”

He said a focus group last week revealed what they want to see in improvements with the changes that are coming.

“We’re going to get it to be what everyone wants it to be,” he said. “Classes will still be part of the memberships and there will be additional new classes that have an extra fee, but we’re going to push it to be everything everyone’s since the beginning.

Newell said the facility’s budget will be set Monday at the next City Commission meeting.

Additional amenities will be introduced over the next several weeks, Newell said.

“We just ask for everyone’s patience as we get going,” he said. “The one big thing we’ll add is fun.”