Residents of Madisonville will start their celebration at 6 p.m. Friday with entertainment for the opening of a $3.5 million center at 5320 Stewart Road, in Stewart Park.

        “We are very proud of this center,” said Kaye Britton, chairman of fund raising and a member of the Madisonville Recreation Center Advisory Board. “This center is going to make a big difference in this neighborhood.”

        Residents of College Hill will start their celebration at 2 p.m. Sunday for the $4.5 million center at 5545 Belmont Ave.

        Both neighborhoods had been on the waiting list more than 25 years.

        “We kept our movement for a center going by raising money and contacting private businesses and organizations in this area,” Mrs. Britton said. “The Coca-Cola Co., our corporate neighbors, gave $12,500; Fifth Third Bank gave $100,000; Sam's gave $1,000 and St. Anthony Church gave $7,500.”

        She said the center will have a scholarship program for high school students sponsored by Coca-Cola, designed to encourage students to stay in school, graduate and further their career by going on to higher education.

        “We have also contacted elementary schools to see if they can work this program into their curriculum,” Mrs. Britton said.

        The center will have parenting workshops, quilting and ceramics for seniors, pool tables, computer labs, a teen lounge, a fitness room, aerobics classes, a gymnasium and Internet-access computers.

        The center was built close to a swimming pool, refurbished tennis courts and a baseball diamond.

        Activity will also include entertainment by singer Lavenia Campbell, jazzman Eugene Goss and the African Dancers.

        On Saturday there will be a senior breakfast at 9 a.m. and a Coca-Cola and Community Day. The Kroger Co. will sponsor a day on Sunday.

        “We are also planning on having a baseball game Saturday afternoon,” Mrs. Britton said.

        Bill Lemon, chairman of recreation for the College Hill Forum, said it has taken 30 years to get the center.

        “The most outstanding feature in the center is an indoor track. We fought to get the indoor track because of the number of seniors in this community.

        “Another big feature are the two gymnasiums,” he said. “We want to bring in teams at all levels in order to channel that energy inside the center.”

        There will be an open house from 2:45 to 4 p.m. Sunday along with food, demonstrations and entertainment.

        The food will be catered by Goodies Restaurant in College Hill. Free shuttle service will be provided from the parking lot at Aiken High School to the center.

        From 4-6 p.m. Sunday there will be a basketball game between the College Hill Teens and police officers of District 5.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News”' column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements or people, let him know at 768-8362, e-mail ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.

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