From The Files of The Seminole Producer

The plans and dreams of many Seminole citizens will become a reality next Friday, March 16, when the new $276,000 Municipal Recreation Building is officially opened to the public with a formal dedication ceremony. The dedication will begin at 2 p.m. with an open house to follow, Chamber of Commerce manager Bob Jones said today.

“We extend a special invitation to all area citizens to attend Friday’s dedication ceremonies and to view the new building complex during the open house that follows,” Jones added.

Senator Henry Bellmon will be the principal speaker of the dedication ceremonies. The Senator was very instrumental in obtaining federal monies for construction of the new recreation building.

Senator Bellmon first attracted national attention in 1962 when he was elected the first Republican governor in the history of Oklahoma. In 1967, limited to one term of office by the state constitution, he returned to his farm near Billings where he had been in the wheat and cattle business since 1946. His absence from public life was short-lived, however. He soon became the national chairman of the Nixon for President Committee, a position which he held until early 1968 when he chose to run for the United States Senate.

In 1947 Bellmon married Shirley Osborn and today they have three daughters, Patricia, Gail, and Ann.

The multi-purpose recreation facility contains, on the north end, a large golf shop, men’s and women’s lounge and locker rooms, a workshop where golf equipment may be repaired and an office for the golf shop manager.

This area was opened with official ribbon-cutting ceremonies Dec. 8.

The south end contained modern men’s and women’s bath houses, a basket check-out area and a pool manager’s office.

A “first” for Seminole is housed in the center of the facility – a civic center which can hold about 200 persons or seat 150 when tables and other items are needed.

A charge will be assessed groups desiring to use the center. The main hall can be divided in two parts by a collapsible curtain so more than one event can be held at the same time.

The fee should be paid through the office of City Clerk Alpha Sweringen.

Lining the walkway around the building are child-sized tables and chairs. Concrete benches also surround this area.

Park Board Chairman Hulett Edgmon said he had “never seen a facility like this in any park or recreation area in a city the size of Seminole.”

It is hoped the facility will increase play on the golf course, provide a place for city and other civic groups to hold meetings and increase swimming in the pool, he added.

The building was made possible through funding from the federal government and sale of Fivefor- the-Future bonds approved by Seminole voters in 1971.

The Jim Austin family, pioneers in the drilling and oil business in Seminole have provided all interior furnishings, including three color TV sets and the figure for the donations run between $10,000 to $15,000.

Edgmon said in early spring work will begin to revamp the parking lot in front of the building to make it a controlled area. A lighted median will be installed, as will sidewalks and curbs.

A walkway will also be built between the golf shop and the golf course across the street.

In the future, it is hoped the present nine-hole golf course can be expanded to 18 holes, Edgmon said.

Work on the building began with groundbreaking ceremonies in May. The facility was built by Shawnee Construction Co. with architecture by Phelps, Spitz, Thomas, and Ammerman Associates.

“In addition to the open house Friday, we are planning a second open house the following Sunday, March 18, to give those who didn’t have a chance at the initial ceremony to view the new complex,” Edgmon concluded. -oOo School Daze – There will be a stage production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” Tuesday, March 13, at Ada. There will be a school bus going and any student who is interested should buy his ticket early Monday morning. Teachers are also invited. ~ Students who wish to attend Vo-Tech school this summer or next fall should pick up application forms in Miss Lamont’s office. ~ Juniors who have ordered keychains, necklaces and other items should be sure and have their money on Monday, March 12, so that the order can be sent off. Mike Friend is taking the orders. ~ School Daze Slants – Janis Chappell giving someone a funny look… John Jarvis and Buster McCoy being shy… Randy Dockery hunting some answers… Tina McMillion hating tests… Beth Hancock being worried… Randall Livingston doing his homework at the wrong time… Tammy Simmons having secrets… Will Cocke being mean… Liz Wall having a certain problem with her neck… Carie Dietz giving away dirty crackers… Byron Calhoun being possessive… Dennis Auld not working… Anita Hancock counting paper… Julie Cumpton being excited.