CARUTHERSVILLE -- The city of Caruthersville has unveiled a new $2.5 million multi-purpose recreation center.

The grand opening was held Saturday. The center is tentatively scheduled to open for public use Monday morning.

The 38,000-square-foot center includes an Olympic size pool, dry saunas in each of two locker rooms, an activity room, two maple wood 20-by-40 foot racquetball courts, a maple wood, college basketball-sized gym with elevated walking track circling it, a vending area, dressing rooms and a weight room. A bond issue to finance construction of the center was approved by nearly a 83 percent "yes" margin on April 4, 1989.

The center's construction began October 1990. The bond issue is being repaid through an interim half-cent city sales tax.

Location of the center is Truman Boulevard (Highway 84), just south of West 15th Street.

Melvin Herrington, Caruth~ersville's director of parks and recreation, will manage the center. The aquatics director and second in command is Vincent Powell. The center will employ 10 to 15 people, mostly part-time.

Programs planned at the center including swimming lessons, aerobics, karate, weight training, gymnastics, dance, sports leagues (basketball, volleyball, racquetball and walleyball) and clubs (youth and adult in walking, running and swimming). Clinics and seminars on various informational topics are also planned.