Teen Delinquency Won't Stand a Chance Against Lap Pool and Gym, St. Louis Officials Hope

ofallonpark.org

​Mayor Francis Slay and several north St. Louis aldermen gathered in O'Fallon Park today for the groundbreaking of a new recreational complex. Officials are optimistic that the rec-plex will be a resource for north city kids and teenagers.

"They've been on the street causing all kinds of messes," said Alderman Freeman Bosley Sr. at today's groundbreaking. Bosley added that since the pools and rec centers of his childhood have closed, youths are hard-pressed to find somewhere to spend time under adult supervision, especially during the summer.

A rendering of the proposed rec-plex.

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The O'Fallon Park Recreation Complex is slated to open by December 31, 2011, "just in time to fulfill our New Year's resolutions," Slay remarked.

The $23 million, 79,000-square-foot park will include amenities such as a gym, indoor track, aquatic center with a splash pool, slides, sauna, and outdoor lap pool.

Comptroller Darlene Green said the complex will benefit the community by creating jobs, especially for minorities. Her goal is that the workforce at the community center be at least 30 percent minority.

The complex will be built by contractors SM Wilson to conform to LEED Silver standards.