Smithfield firefighters Tony McLeod, Gary House and Larry Hodge tried out the center after their shift ended. They played a friendly game of basketball, but could have easily found other ways to entertain themselves in the 72,000-square-foot building. Swimming, exercising in the fitness center and playing racquetball are just a few of the ways people can stay fit.

“We will definitely join,” McLeod said. “My wife and kids fell in love with it. We both like that it had a lot for the kids to do.” The firefighters were also impressed with the center’s safety features, including two portable defibrillators, a staff trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers.

“I think you’d be hard pressed to find something in the state with this quality of equipment,” McLeod said. “Smithfield is very lucky and fortunate to have this to offer.”

On the walking track above the basketball court, Gina Grimes pushed her 11-month-old baby in a stroller. Gina and her husband, David, who have two other children, ages 7 and 5, left another gym to join the Aquatics Center.

“The big thing that brought us here was the price, because it was more affordable for us,” Grimes said after finishing her walk on the track. “It’s about $20 less a month, I think is what my husband told me. We weren’t unhappy where we were, but being able to use the childcare is a big thing, especially for moms who want to come in the mornings.”

The children’s two-foot pool was a draw for Grimes, who liked all of the waterfall features. “It makes them feel like they are at an amusement park,” she said. “That has an advantage of feeling like a real amusement park rather than just a swimming pool.” More than 800 people have joined the $11 million Aquatics Center, which now houses the town’s Parks and Recreation Department. “It has been a great addition to this community, and we’ve seen it this first week,” said director Dale Ham. “We think it will definitely be a huge addition not only to the town, but to the county.”

The Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center is at 600 Booker Dairy Road, between Community Park and Smithfield Selma High School. It is open from 5:30 a.m. till 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5:30 a.m. till 8 p.m. Fridays, 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 till 5 p.m. Sundays. The telephone number is 934-2148.