BENTONVILLE -- City officials knew the Bentonville Community Center would get a lot of use, but they didn't know just how much.
David Wright, Parks and Recreation Department director, recalled getting started on the center in 2009 when it was the city's largest infrastructure project, costing $16.1 million. He stood at the entrance and greeted the first users during the building's opening May 9, 2015.
"My nerves were at an all-time high to make sure people would embrace it," he said.
Now the 5,200 memberships have exceeded the 3,300 a consultant said to expect, Wright said.
On Nov. 13, green and white balloons created a festive atmosphere in the lobby.
"I knew something was going on, but wasn't sure what and thought, 'Do I really want to walk in there,'" center member Lee Wood said.
Wood, who was trying to get to a fitness class, decided to go for it. Center employees blew confetti as he walked through the entrance.
Wood was the 1 millionth guest.
"I asked them if I could have a dollar for each person who walked in before me," he laughed. "They said no."
Wood did receive a free family membership for a year, a $425 value.
"If someone had said you'll have 1 million visitors in 2½ years, I think both David [Wright] and I would have said that's a pretty aggressive forecast," Mayor Bob McCaslin said. "The pent-up demand for something like this was far greater than we anticipated."
By comparison, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which draws visitors from across the country and globe, had 1 million guests during the 21 months after it opened Nov. 11, 2011.
The 80,000-square-foot community center has a family leisure pool and a 25-yard competitive pool, a fitness center, dance and aerobics studio, gymnasium, indoor running track, community rooms, an arts and craft room, child watch area, senior-citizen activity center and lounge area. The Bentonville Public Library also has a mini branch at the center.
There have been more than 388,000 visits to the center so far this year, with an average daily attendance of 1,328, according to the Parks and Recreation Department.
Nearly 15,000 have used the community rooms during the 386 room rentals this year. Nearly 53,000 have participated in wellness classes, and almost 5,000 swim lessons have been given.
The Community Center's Kids Center has kept an eye on more than 33,000 children ages 6 months to 10 years while their parents use the amenities. That averages 125 children a day.
Wood uses the facility five days a week. He goes to a midday fitness class Monday, Wednesday, Friday and plays pickup basketball Tuesdays and Thursdays.
"I guess I could credit them for losing 40 pounds," he said.
Parks and Recreation officials have been working to build out Citizens Park, the 24 acres around the building, since it opened. Three multipurpose fields with a restroom and concession facility are to the building's southeast and Citizens Park Trail -- a 1-mile hard-surface path -- loops around the grounds.
A pavilion under construction on the property's northwest end should be finished around the new year, which leaves a 12-court tennis complex and an all-inclusive playground to be completed.
Next year's city budget includes $1.3 million for the tennis complex. Construction could start in the first half of next year, Wright said.
The playground, which will be accessible to children with differing abilities, may come to fruition late next year or in 2019 as officials raise money and seek grants for the $750,000 project, officials said.
Several groups helped pay for the $16.1 million Community Center. The Walton Family Foundation donated $2 million. Bentonville Public Schools, the Walmart Foundation, Community Care Foundation and Advertising and Promotion Commission gave $1 million each. The city paid for the rest with reserves and bond money.
Wright said he carries a sense of pride about the center, knowing all the work it took to open and how his team has operated it since. He appreciates those who use and enjoy it.
"This facility is helping us achieve the mission of our department, which is to enhance the lives of those in our community," he said.
Metro on 11/25/2017