Roy Recreation Complex helps families keep fit for generations SEE VIDEO ONLINE www.standard.net By JENNILYN E. WILLIAMS Standard-Examiner correspondent ROY — The Roy Recreation Complex celebrated its 40 year anniversary complete with a "birthday" cake and many festivities at the complex. Nickia Harvey and her mother Paula Carter were present at the cake cutting Friday. "The complex pass has been the second best investment, next to my sewing machine, our family has made in our entire lives. We have had a pass since they opened. We were one of the original charter members," said Paula Carter. Her daughter Nickia Harvey had the honor of cutting the cake, because she "represents the multi generations who enjoy the complex" said Brittany Edwards, programs supervisor at the Roy complex. "I love it here, it's the best place. I took swimming lessons here when I was a kid, and now7 my kids are coming here and enjoying it too," Harvey said. "My mother had nine children, and five out of nine of us were on the Roy High swim team. Now three of us still come to the pool for a mini family reunion. I have a brother who lives in Roy and one who lives in Morgan." City officials are proud of the positive impact the complex has made in the community. "I am excited that there are still so many families interested in the Roy com- Dian Erickson, of Roy, and Becky Reagan, of West Haven, take laps around the pool during the celebration. plex," said Council member Marge Be- craft. "It's been a great place for the community over the years," said Mayor Willard Cragun. Present at the cake cutting was Virgil Howell who was the very first manage"rof the complex, and managed it for 34 years. ''When they first hired me, the complex wasn't even built yet," Howell said. "There was a lot of excitement because it was going to be a new facility. My challenge was coming in to a new place, providing programs, service to the community, and coming up with ways of running things. When the complex first opened, it took charter members. Those who signed up first were able to lock into an annual rate of $100 for the rest of their lives. There was so much interest in the facility at the time, See COMPLEX I Page 12A Complex From 9A about 550 families became original charter members, Howell said. There are still 27 charter member families left. Roy Recreation Director Travis Flint said the city is known for two things: "Burger Bar and the Roy Recreation Complex." Friday Flint gave out a few awards. One was to Rusty Tubbs, who "keeps this place running, from a treadmill that doesn't work, to a boiler. If you give Rusty" some bubble gum and twine, he can fix the boiler that hasn't been working for two weeks." He also gave an award to Cindy Taylor who "has been here for 28 of the Complex's 40 years. She loves to exercise, motivate people to exercise, and teach people. She has gone above and be yond the call of duty. I love her passion, her energy, and I know everyone else does too." Howell also received an award. "He managed the complex for 34 of its 40 years. He worked to make sure programs were running properly. He is the "Godfather" of this facility. He is an outstanding guy who has done outstanding things," said Flint. "I have worked here for seven years, my entire working career. It's a great place and I love it," said Jesse Whinham, a WSI lifeguard. "I started here as a kid taking swimming lessons. Cindy Taylor was my swTim lesson teacher. Cindy is the reason I did swim team. She said "You have a really good stroke. You should do swim team," said Rachel Provost, who also is a WSI lifeguard at the Roy Complex. Read what many patrons have to say about the Roy Recreation Complex at www.standard.net.