The first shovel full of dirt officially started construction on the Blythe Family Fitness building Tuesday morning.
Handling the honors were Roy and Elsie Blythe’s daughter Velma Luck and three of the Blythe’s granddaughters; Diana Mason, Julie Mason and Susan Younkman.
The lots on Iuka Street between Fifth Street and Sixth Street have been cleared and dirt work is expected to start by the end of the week, said Porter Loomis, president of the Roy and Elsie Blythe Foundation that is the driving force behind the fitness facility.
About a dozen others have contributed financially, some anonymous donations have been very generous, to this project.
Between 200 and 300 others have shared thoughts and ideas how to make the project a reality, Loomis said.
“I appreciate so much people with the spirit to make the community better,” Loomis said. “I’ve been significantly blessed along this path with people who have been helpful and patient.”
A goal of the facility is to compliment the Green Sports Complex and draw various tournaments to Pratt. A chief purpose of the facility is to make recreation programs more fun.
During construction this summer, USD 382 has agreed to let the construction crews use the school parking lot as a staging area for equipment and materials. Eventually, the plan is for the Blythe Foundation to improve the parking lot.
The building will have 38,500 square feet for floor space on the main floor and another 6,500 feet on the mezzanine. Jorns Construction is in charge of construction for the project.
The facility will feature a dedicated tennis court, another tennis size court for basketball or volley ball with a walking and running track plus two other regulation size basketball courts. Three of the courts will feature a special floor surface, Mondo, a synthetic rubberized material that looks like wood but is not as hard.
A pair of racket ball courts can also be used for workout studios for yoga, Pilates or whatever is the workout of the day, Loomis said.
A concessions stand will be located near the front entrance that will be on the west side of the building about 100 to 150 feet south of Firth Street.
The front of the building is on the west side and will be level with the original Iuka Street grade while the back of the building will be about eight feet below grade on the east side.
The front of the building will have lots of glass plus some brick and metal.
