By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The recreational pool is part of the 149,000-square-foot Mason community center, next to Mason High School. (Michael Snyder photos) | ZOOM |

MASON - The doors to this city's multimillion-dollar community center - complete with two pools, indoor track and state-of the-art exercise equipment - will open this weekend.

Saturday is the dedication of the community center and high school complex, located on Mason-Montgomery Road. The 149,000-square-foot center, a joint project between the city and school district, will be open for public use Sunday.

It includes six basketball courts, 1,200-seat auditorium and a 25-meter competition pool with a floor that can be adjusted for different depths.

The indoor track at the new Mason community center overlooks the fitness room. | ZOOM |

The community center also features a 161,400-gallon leisure pool with a three-story, twisting water slide; a jungle-themed indoor playroom for children; arts and crafts studios; and a game room.The 1/8-mile track overlooks the fitness room, which is filled with rows of treadmills, stair steppers and other cardiovascular equipment.

There's also a senior center with a lounge and billiard room, and a child-care area.

The school's food service department will operate the cafÈ, serving dine-in and take-home meals.

IF YOU GO

What: Joint city/school dedication ceremony Where: Mason High School and Community Center complex on Mason-Montgomery Road. When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday. There will be a showcase of student work and self-guided tours of the high school from 2-4 p.m. The community center will be open for self-guided tours, demonstrations and sales of passes from 2-6 p.m.

"I think it's going to be something our community will benefit from for years to come," said Mayor John McCurley.

The community center is adjacent to the new high school, which opened in September.

The center is the culmination of a joint project that began in 1999 between the city and school district.

Mason residents Jim and Cathy Moyer plan on attending Saturday's dedication.

"We're very eager for it to open, but we're still trying to decide if we're going to buy a pass," said the 47-year-old mother of two. "But either way, I think it's great for the city of Mason."

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com