Other ARC Information

History and donors

In July of 1998, Mayor Darwin Hindman appointed a 37 member Mayor’s Recreation Center Citizens’ Committee co-chaired by Greg Steinhoff and Naomi Cupp. The mission of the committee was to determine the indoor recreation needs of the citizens of Columbia, establish a cost-effective plan in accord with those needs, and encourage support of and participation in a community recreation center. After extensive research, public surveys and information gathering, the committee unanimously recommended to the City Council that it proceed with the development of a community recreation center.

Funding was made possible by the citizens of Columbia passing a 1/4-cent sales tax to raise $10.5 million in a November 1999 ballot. The recreation center funding was Proposition 1 on the November 3, 1999 ballot and passed by a narrow margin – 6,867 in favor, 6,676 against.
[Election results by ward/precinctopens PDF file ]

Construction began on this 73,000 square-foot facility in the spring of 2001. The facility was dedicated on December 15, 2002 and opened for public use on December 16, 2002. 
[ARC dedication programopens PDF file ]

A small group of the original Mayor’s Recreation Center Citizens’ Committee worked to raise private funds to enhance the center. The following donors contributed to the project. Their donations facilitated the addition of 10,000 square feet to the original building plans. The City is very appreciative of the generous donations and the support shown by the community for the center.

Donor Item Amount
Columbia Orthopaedic Group Walking/Jogging Track
$140,000
Columbia Cosmo Luncheon Club Gymnasium
$125,000
University YMCA Classroom
$125,000
Boone County National Bank Meeting Rooms
$100,000
CenturyTel – (Verizon Foundation) Technology Center
$50,000

Boone Hospital Center/
BJC HealthCare

Youth Training Room
$25,000
Boone Hospital Center/
Board of Trustees
Youth Training Room
$25,000
Commerce Bank
(William T. Kemper Foundation)
 
$25,000
Missouri Employers Mutual  
$15,000
Columbia Daily Tribune  
$1,000

A special thank you to Ron & Vicky Shy for their generous donation of land, which helped make this project possible.

The project costs associated with the second gym, the additional multi-purpose room and youth training areas were partially underwritten by the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Youth Opportunities Program.

Building contractors

Architectural & Engineering Design: Jacobs Facilities, Inc.
Contractor: Curtiss-Manes-Schulte
Pool Consultant: Counsilman / Hunsaker & Assoc.
Civil Engineers: Trabue Hansen & Hinshaw
Geotechnical: Engineering Surveys & Service
Associate Architects – Site Design: Peckham and Wright

Mayor’s Recreation Center Citizens’ Committee
Cup Naomi, Co-Chair Fennewald, Connie Oxenhandler, Gary
Stienhoff, Gregg, Co-Chair Filbert, Gary Price, Jerry
Abrams, Doug Gardner, Brent Reed, Lisa
Barry, Dean Gowan, Ann Roberts, Magie
Bihr, Mari Ann Gray, Susan Shy, Ron
Kaiser-Brown, Natasha Henry, Lloyd Smith, Dennis
Cooper, Chip Johnson, David Stamper, Don
Crane, Kevin LaFontaine, Tom Sundvold, Jon
Dahlman, Diane Lenox, John Taylor, Gary
Daugherty, Jack Mirts, Doug Walthall, Chris
Doty, Jeri Moseley, Carol Walther, Skip
Edwards, Anne G. Naylor, Monica  
Fay, Elton Ostlund, David  

Thank you to the following

The Citizens of Columbia
Mayor, City Council, and City Manager
Columbians for a Community Center Committee
Mayor’s Recreation Center Citizens’ Committee & Fund Raising Committee

A place for us

“Places and spaces must be found for youth to feel secure and to go to for activities and learning outside of school other than the mall…for senior citizens to network, and access services unique to their lives…for community groups to cooperate with other community groups in combined efforts for common goals…” Columbia 2000, 1991

Much more than recreation…

“A Community Recreation Center impacts the City of Columbia far beyond creating a recreational and meeting space for residents. It communicates to the entire community that our town is a people-centered place to live, work, learn and play.

With an eye toward the future, the Columbia Community Recreation Center has the power to enhance our positive community culture. This is a rare and important opportunity.” Columbia 2000, 1991

Stonewall King – Renowned Stallion

The plaque below was placed outside the ARC natatorium on the east side of the building in memory of Stonewall King, a world renowned American Saddlebred stallion.

Stonewall King 1920 to 1949

Plaque wording:

Stonewall King

1920-1949

“Missouri born and raised, Stonewall King was a world renowned American Saddlebred stallion. Honored at the 1947 Boone County Fair, he was awarded a key to the City of Columbia. Upon his death, the great stallion was laid to rest here, at that time the site of the County Fairgrounds. Although his original headstone was moved to the new fairgrounds, Stonewall King remains, buried near this marker.”

Facility Specifications

First Floor Square Feet
Gymnasium (2 full courts, 12 baskets)
12,400 sq. ft.
Meeting Rooms (3 24′ x 36′ rooms)
2,978 sq. ft.
Classroom
600 sq. ft.
Kid Zone (child care area)
957 sq. ft.
Game Room
1,205 sq. ft.
Youth Training Room
1,403 sq. ft.
Women’s Locker Room  
Men’s Locker Room  
Family Locker Room  
ARC Administrative Offices  
Water Zone (Leisure Pool)
Includes triple-loop slide, 3 lap lanes, vortex pool, hydro-therapy pool, lazy river, water play structure, zero-depth entry, handicap lift, 2 party rooms
12,988 sq. ft
Second Floor Square Feet
Group Exercise Area
1,881 sq. ft.

Cardio Area
Equipment includes: 8 treadmills, 4 lower body ellipticals, 4 upper/lower body ellipticals, 4 upright bikes, 4 recumbent bikes, 2 stair steppers, 1 upper body ergonometer, 2 rowers

1,288 sq. ft.
Strength Area
Equipment includes: 2 complete circuits of selectorized equipment, stretching mats, dumbbells, olympic benches and weights
4,502 sq. ft.
Outdoor Fitness Area
1,511 sq. ft.
Fitness Attendant Room  
2 Uni-Sex Restrooms  
Walking/Jogging Track
6.4 laps per mile

Facility Description

The 73,000 sq. ft. Activity and Recreation Center opened to the public on December 16, 2002.

The indoor leisure pool features a triple loop slide, water play structure for the kids, a beach-style entry, a lazy river with a current that is great for water walking, a vortex pool, 3 lap lanes, a class area, and a hydro-therapy pool. Wet multi-purpose rooms are used for birthday parties. The pool is open special hours on days when school is out. Water fitness classes are offered for all ages.

On the main level is a gymnasium that hosts two full courts for basketball, volleyball, and other games. A group exercise room, cardio theater area, strength area, and state-of-the-art track (6.4 laps per mile) are on the building’s second level.

For youth, after-school programs are offered at a special rate. A game room is open for use with no entry fee. Volunteers from the University YMCA offer free tutoring for youth in grades 6-9 in the technology center. A youth fitness room is available for specialized training. Dance classes, acting, Spanish, along with spring break and “school’s out” programs will be offered.

Individuals with physical challenges can enter the pool via the beach-style entry, stairs with railings, or a chair which lowers into the water. The hydro-therapy pool is easily accessible. An elevator provides access to the second floor. Other features throughout the ARC, including strength/cardio equipment, provide access for everyone.

Admission fees can be paid daily or a 20-punch pass can be purchased. Annual memberships can be purchased and paid for on an annual or monthly basis. Visit or call the ARC at 1701 1701 W. Ash St. Columbia, MO 65203 (573.874.7700opens phone dialer) or the Parks and Recreation Office at 1 South 7th Street P. O. Box 6015 Columbia, MO 65205 (573.874.7460opens phone dialer) for more information.