Photos: Inside Tour of Highland Recreation Under Construction

Largo City Commissioners got to take an inside tour Dec. 11, of the new Highland Recreation Complex, which is on track for completion in May 2013.

The 40,000 square-foot facility will have two large indoor gymnasiums, a 3-story play space for children, an indoor running track, a special high-tech game space and more.

Largo commissioners checked out the new building's multi-layered walls, which are designed for better air circulation. The walls have special layers of protection against moisture and bugs, also, according to building planners.

The new recreation complex will connect seamlessly to the existing aquatics center with a patio area and covered-picnic space.

The center will have an all-day preschool, which will have its own play space. Plus, children will be able to enjoy a three-story indoor play area.

The center will have two large gyms. One gym will have a special rubber floor to accommodate various athletic activities. Above the gyms is an indoor running track.

The giant wall facing Highland Avenue, which is behind the gyms, will have a special-art panel. The glass wall will have perforated aluminum panels with various athletes in silhouette form. The panels are designed to move people's eyes in to the building, said Architect John Curran.

The project's architecture firm is Gould Evans Architects, the construction company is Creative Contractors, Inc. and Largo's project manager is Assistant City Manager Henry Schubert.

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