Mayor Larry Heikkila will take the court at the Young Family Athletic Center in Norman, 2201 Trae Young Drive, early Saturday morning to give the first assist leading into the first ever basketball game at the new facility. The soft ceremonial celebration will begin at 7:50 a.m., before whistles blow at 8 a.m. All are welcome to attend.

“We are proud to announce that 1,800 student athletes are enrolled for the inaugural season at the Young Family Athletic Center,” said Jason Olsen, City of Norman Parks & Recreation Director. “In addition to basketball, there will be a multitude of health-based quality of life activities open to our community in months to come and we are incredibly excited to finally unveil this voter-approved project.”

An official ribbon-cutting for the Young Family Athletic Center is planned for February 19. Saturday’s celebration marks substantial completion of the 122,000 sq. ft. facility, which is still under construction in some areas. Those utilizing the facility this weekend are asked to respect areas that cannot yet be accessed, marked by signage, and show up 20 minutes early to find first games and pick up jerseys. Overflow parking can be accessed at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center on Conference Drive. Concessions will not yet be available but athletes and spectators are welcome to bring drinks and snacks.

The Young Family Athletic Center is made possible through the Norman Forward initiative, which was passed by voters in 2015 with 72 percent approval. Funding of the $42 million facility comes from a combination of sales tax dollars, construction supplement funding via the University North Park Tax Increment District, Norman Regional Health Systems, and donations from the Trae Young Family Foundation. Eight basketball courts, 12 volleyball courts, two indoor pools and a human performance center with physician clinics are major features of the facility. Learn more at Normanok.gov.

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