| Fontana
Park takes shape as buildings sprout
|
|
|
Jessie Turner Health and
Fitness Center takes shape at Fontana Park.
|
As we embark on a New Year, construction is moving full steam ahead on many projects throughout
our fair City. One such project is the much anticipated Fontana Park on the northeast corner
of Summit and Lytle Creek Avenues. As you drive west on Summit, the wooden frame of a building,
soon to be the Aquatic Center, can be seen amidst the hubbub of tractors and earth movers. Just
beyond, the massive structure of the new 43,000 square foot Jessie Turner Health and Fitness
Center is taking shape. The walls of the gymnasium and framework for the 4,689 square foot assembly
room give a glimpse of the distinctive facility to come.
|
|
Work remains on track
despite windy conditions in north Fontana.
|
“We’re right on track to complete this park in the spring of 2008 as planned. Although
we’ve had some extremely windy days and had to stop construction a few times, the contractor
has worked diligently to stay on schedule and make up the down time,” commented Chuck Hays,
deputy director of the Fontana public works department.
|
|
Public Works employees
Chuck Hays and Luis Villalobos describe amenities of the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness
Center currently under construction.
|
With summer just around the corner, swim lessons and recreation swim is on many residents’ minds,
and with the new Aquatic Center on the horizon, aquatics enthusiasts in Fontana have a lot to
look forward to. Boasting a large 33 meter by 25 yard (fourteen lane) competition pool, a recreation
swimming pool, two waterslides and a zero depth splash playground, this new facility is unlike
any in the Inland Empire.
|
|
The Aquatics Center and
covered sports arena create additional opportunities for recreation activities within Fontana
Park.
|
Overlooking the aquatics center is another substantial gathering area for picnics and corporate
parties – a 5,920 square foot pavilion with covered picnic tables that will comfortably
accommodate 350 people. Other amenities of the park include:
- A 28,500 square foot skate park that will incorporate all of the latest street skate elements;
- A promenade lined with Romanesque columns anchored by a 20 foot tall Spanish fountain that
begins at the corner of Summit and Knox and leads directly to the Aquatics facility;
- A passive park with a creative play area and several kinetic structures;
- Fontana’s first dog park;
- Walking trails;
- And a covered sports pavilion similar to the Paul Biane Pavilion at Jack Bulik Park.
“This park is unlike any park we have in Fontana, or in the Inland Empire for that matter,” said
Hays, adding “it’s an exciting project to be a part of.”
“This development is an amazing evolution for this community,” said Mayor Mark Nuaimi. “This
is a proud moment for Fontana,” he added.
Fontana Park promises to be another jewel for Fontana. The park was designed by Baxter Miller
Landscape Architects and construction is being completed by Douglas E. Barnhardt, the same company
building the new regional Library and Resource/Technology Center in downtown Fontana. The cost
to construct this unparalleled new park is $61.5 million.
For more information about Fontana Park and the amenities planned, view the site
plan online. You may also contact the public works department at (909) 350-6760.
|
|
