FAIRHOPE, Ala.—“I just signed up,” Robert Cain said Thursday afternoon at the Fairhope Recreation Center, holding a package of membership information for the new facility.

“I just retired four months ago, and I’ve got to get this off,” said Cain, 62, pointing at his stomach.

Cain was the 98th person to become a member of the new rec center.

He joined on a month-to-month basis, a rate available to local residents, who are identified as living within the Fairhope school-zone boundary. Those rates vary from $35 to $65, depending on age and how many are in the family.

Residents can also purchase a 10-pack of daily visits for $40. Non-residents are limited to annual memberships varying between $500 and $800, and both residents and non-residents can have a day pass for $5. Membership and passes include access to all parts of the new and old facilities, which includes the indoor and outdoor municipal swimming pool complex.

“I liked the cost and how close it is,” said Cain, referring to the reasons he joined. He said he had compared some other gym prices and locations in the area and had settled happily on the new rec center.

“A lot of places you go to, they’ll try and lock you into the yearly rate,” said Liz Chandler, recreation center director, as she talked with Cain. “Did they give you a new-member orientation and show you how to use all the machines?”

Cain said he had received that orientation, then started a leisurely walk around the track on the mezzanine, overlooking the basketball court and other parts of the new building.

“Thirteen laps make a mile,”said Chandler of the new track, clearly brimming over with enthusiasm about the facility. “Everyone is welcomed, and all will find something here to help them become more fit and more active and healthier, which is what we’re all about. No matter what your current level of fitness is, we will help you get started on your way to better health and fitness.”

Although the grand opening is a week ago, the new center began accepting memberships from city employees recently and from the public this past week, and will continue through the ribbon-cutting next Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

“We are so pleased to present this state-of-the-art facility to the people of Fairhope,” said Mayor Tim Kant. “Not only does this offer new options for recreation for all ages, but it will provide us all with great new way to stay in shape or get in shape.”

During the grand opening, visitors may tour the facility, meet the staff and purchase memberships, according to a city news release. Beginning at 10:30 a.m., there will be free health screenings with tests for blood sugar, blood pressure and body-mass index; and from 10 a.m. until noon, free chair massages will be offered. Staff and volunteers will be on hand throughout the day to answer questions, provide equipment demonstrations, and give tours.

Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., city residents may register for a chance to win a free three-month membership that will be given away at 2:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day.

The opening of the rec center is the fulfillment of a longtime dream for Recreation Superintendent Eddie Boyett.

“This is a plan that Charlie Langham and all of the Recreation Board have worked on for years,” said Boyett, referring to the board’s chairman, who will be present at the ribbon-cutting. “I’m very pleased that it’s now open and ready to serve the public. It’s a great addition to our overall recreation programs in the city, and I’m proud to have played a part in bringing their dreams to fruition.”

The professionally staffed center features 10 treadmills, 10 total trainers, three upright and three recumbent bikes, rowing machines, and free weights, according to the news release. In addition, there’s a separate room with 10 spinning machines for spin classes, a racquetball court, elevated walking track, two gyms and a cedar sauna. An activity room has game tables, foosball, air hockey and table tennis plus a large-screen TV that is equipped with Fitness and Sports Wii, with programs for youth and adults.

The center also has a nursery where, for a small additional fee, parents can leave babies and young children to be cared for while they work out, the news release stated.

For more information, call the Fairhope Recreation Center at 928-7270.