The enhancement and expansion of the recreational amenities available to Fontana residents have been high priorities to the City Council and city staff since 2003. While the unprecedented growth in development, redevelopment and retail have received considerable media attention, the Community Services Department has blossomed before the eyes of the Inland Empire.

With a staff expansion of almost double its’ original size, the Fontana Community Services Department is a stalwart example of the “Total Quality Development” envisioned and set forth by the Council years ago.

Everyone from the Council, to the City Manager’s Office, to the Public Works employee and the Community Services staff are in complete agreement concerning the value of providing residents with the opportunities to enjoy the highest quality recreational amenities.

In 2007-2008 a total of five recreational hot-spots will have been opened or are under construction. Of these, two include newly constructed recreational centers which will allow the City to properly serve the nearly 190,000 residents who now call the area home.

“For most cities, opening this many state-of-the-art community venues within months of each other is unparalleled,” says Mayor Mark Nuaimi adding, “Accepting the challenge of juggling multiple projects and footing the expenses is inconceivable…lucky for us we aren’t most cities – we are Fontana and we are fortunate to have a council with vision and a city manager with the ability, and most importantly – a team of dedicated professionals -- to get the job done.”

In fall, 2008 the entire region will look to Fontana with the opening of Fontana Park complete with Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center and a competitive Aquatics Center making this one of the largest in the Inland Empire.

Fontana Park offers residents a promenade and passive play area, a fully supervised 25,000 square foot skate park, a dog park with space for both large and small dogs, a multi-purpose pavilion for roller hockey, basketball, and special events, an open play area for walking, jogging, recreational classes as well as a picnic area perfect for corporate picnics or outdoor weddings. Even sitting in the shade can be enjoyed by all as one decides whether to sit beneath a gigantic butterfly or flower canopy or enjoy a more traditional picnic under one of the 1,000 trees planted in the Park.

The Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Center, conveniently situated along Summit Avenue, is the largest Community Center in Fontana. The 43,000 square-foot facility includes a full-size indoor gymnasium, a dedicated aerobics room, a large assembly hall, full service kitchen, Tiny Tots room, periodical room, juice bar, and educational classrooms. Taking full advantage of the fitness center, several specialized martial arts classes are being introduced. These include Ninpo, Karatedo, and Youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Fun and hard-to-find dance classes include Ballroom and Social Dance, Acrodance (for acrobats who love to dance), and the newest craze, the free expression, confidence building Krump. Jessie Turner will also be the new home for Fontana’s highly competitive Adult League Basketball.

“This will be a community center unlike any other,” said Mayor Nuaimi who praised Jessie Turner and other residents who had the vision to bring the original community center and programs to north Fontana.

Jessie Turner had a deep desire to provide quality programs and services to the community and the City Council shares that same vision. “We’re not forgetting the past or the sacrifices that were made by the residents. We are honoring it,” said Mayor Nuaimi.

When not at the Fitness Center residents will enjoy all of the state-of-the-art amenities at the Aquatics Center, located next to the Jessie Turner Fitness Center at 15600 Summit Avenue. The new facility will be open year round and offer residents two water slides, a zero-depth splash park, 14-lane competition pool, and a shallow recreation pool.

While the opening of Fontana Park will prove to be one of the greatest events all year, it will also give many residents throughout the region yet another example of why Fontana is an all-American city that has been named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People by America’s Promise Alliance and was recently ranked #24 of 100 of the Best Cities to raise a family by Best Life Magazine.

The Park grand opening will be Saturday, October 25 at 10 am. See next month’s Community Connection for details.

For more information about the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center, the Aquatics Center or how to become an instructor at either of these state-of-the-art facilities, please call (909) 428-8360.