The swimming pools are still filled with construction materials,and the floor of the gymnastics center needs a mat. But in anotherfive months, Prince George's County officials expect all of the workto be done at the long-awaited state-of-the-art athletic center inLandover, the final payment to the county in a deal with Jack KentCooke that gave the Washington Redskins a new stadium.
Officials now are trying to sell naming rights to the center andmany of the sports venues inside and out. Scheduled to open inDecember, the sports center will be one of only a few in the countrythat can support national sporting events such as world-classswimming and high-level gymnastics competitions.
The complex, which has been described as 50 feet longer than theWashington Monument is tall, is part community center and partOlympic-caliber training and competition center. It will be a placewhere residents can go to work out. A 25,000-square-foot fitnesscenter will have free-weight and cardiovascular areas, aerobics anddance studios, a fitness space for children, party rooms, baby-sitting rooms, lockers, restrooms and classrooms.
But it also will be capable of hosting track meets and tradeshows.
The private management company hired by the county to run themammoth complex is in the process of putting together a 23-memberexecutive team. And while construction workers install an elevatorand finish the stairwells of the two-story structure, a sales team issoliciting corporate sponsorships.
Paul Brailsford, vice president of Washington-based Centers, whichwill operate the facility, said the name of the community center--nowcalled the sports and learning complex--will be changed to includethe name of the corporation that sponsors it. He said the companyhas been negotiating with technology firms, banks and softwarecompanies.
'While we haven't gotten to the point of closing any deals, wehave yet to get a lukewarm response,' he said.
Brailsford said response has been positive because businessesrecognize that the complex will give them quite a bit of exposure.Officials expect that the facility will draw a number of nationalsporting competitions in track, gymnastics and swimming.
'This building will probably be on ESPN 10 times a year,'Brailsford said. 'And because it's next to Jack Kent Cooke Stadium,it will get a lot of exposure.'
The complex sits on 80 acres off Sheriff Road in the shadow of thestadium, which opened in September 1997.
There is certainly not another facility like it in the county. Orin the Washington region, which is a source of pride for countycouncil member Marvin F. Wilson (D-Glenarden), who is largelyresponsible for getting Cooke to donate $3 million to get thefacility started. The entire price tag is closer to $32 million,much of it paid for by the Maryland-National Capital Park andPlanning Commission, which owns and manages parks facilities inPrince George's and Montgomery counties.
'Our kids are interested in track and field,' Wilson said lastweek, as he and seven other council members took a private tour ofthe facility. 'It seemed to train in Olympic-quality facilities, wehad to take them out of the state.'
The indoor field house, which will seat 3,000 spectators, has a200-meter, six-lane track. It will be able to accommodate indoorsoccer events, volleyball, basketball and a batting cage. A160-yard, three-lane jogging track overlooks the 200-meter track.
The gymnastics center seats 1,000 in bleachers overlooking a25,000-square-foot main floor with fixed mats, a vault runway and apit system. There is also a children's area and a warm-up and danceroom.
The aquatics facility has a 50-meter competitive pool with movablebulkheads and floor. The facility has seating for 1,500.
Bob Keil, chief executive of the complex, said tickets will besold to sporting events in these venues. He said prices forresidents to use the other parts of the facility have not yet beendetermined.
One of the areas designed for the community is a leisure pool witha slide. Another is an atrium that will serve as the entryway to thecomplex.
Keil said he envisions the entryway to be a 'Main Street' ofsorts, with traveling exhibits that the public may view for free.The lobby and glass-walled structure run the length of the buildingand overlook the field house, aquatics and gymnastic centers. Itwill have food service and retail areas and a rock-climbing wall.
Another track has been built on the grounds of the complex. The400-meter competitive track can accommodate in-field field events andis lighted. There is an irrigated football field in the center ofthe track and hillside seating for spectators.
The grounds of the complex also features a three-acre pond,pedestrian trails, a picnic area, a playground and a fossilinterpretation area.
'We think it represents the crown jewel in our pretty full crownof unique facilities in Prince George's County, said Marye Wells-Harley, the county's director of parks and recreation.
