ROCHELLE – The new recreation center being built behind Walgreens in Rochelle is beginning to take shape. 

Construction on the property began in late August with a ground-breaking ceremony. Since then crews from Ringland-Johnson Construction have been hard at work getting the foundation completed and structure set before the winter months bring snow. 

Crews are nearly complete with the foundation and have begun erecting the steel beams that serve as the frame of the building. 

“We are approximately 75 percent complete with the foundation and now we are erecting the steel beams for the field house, which will be going on the entire month of November,” explained project manager Megan Simon. “Then in early December the pre-cast concrete panels will be coming in that will make up the exterior of the building. 

After erecting the field house located on the east side of the building, crews will begin erecting the pool and community center on the west side of the building during the months of January into the beginning of February. 

Despite having to work through tough weather conditions this year, crews are on schedule for their estimated completion date of Aug. 28, 2020.

“We plan to turn it over to the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District by the end of August 2020. Crews will work through rain, sleet or snow, the only time crews won’t be working through the winter is if the temperatures reach dangerously low levels,” Said Simon.

Bearing no delays this the winter, crews fully expect to complete the construction before their completion date. 

Once completed the rec center will feature many amenities including two parking lots, one on each side of the building; a field house with six basketball courts, four volleyball courts, a turf area with two soccer fields and a walking track around the soccer fields that will be divided by a screen so it doesn’t interfere with any games going on.

There will also be two pools, one that is a lap pool and another one that is a warm water pool that can be used for physical therapy or classes such as water aerobics. 

“I think this is just going to be a great facility for Rochelle, they need these kinds of facilities because people have to travel far for these accommodations. I just think it is a really great opportunity for the community and we are happy to be a part of it,” added Simon.