Recreation center named for NBA star, family opens in Norman

NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) - A brand-new athletic center had its grand opening in Norman on Monday.

The massive structure is named after a familiar face to the University of Oklahoma, former Sooners superstar and NBA All-Star Trae Young and his family.

"Norman, get ready for a ride,” Norman’s Director of Parks and Recreation Jason Olsen said. “It's going to be fun."

Fun is just a drop in the bucket for this $43 million, 122,000 sq. ft. facility known as the Young Family Athletic Center.

"8 basketball courts, 12 volleyball courts, room to put 18 pickle ball courts,” Olsen said.

Add in physical therapy, sports nutrition and recovery around almost every corner. The center also has a couple of 25-yard, 8 lane pools. Young and his family donated to it and are now bringing big plans for basketball inside.

"Not only serving our local youth, our local Norman kids for leagues and clinics and camps, we're going to have huge tournaments here,” Olsen said. “We're going to have it be a true economic sports tourism driver."

Olsen said they hope hosting live events there for prospective college athletes can provide a boost to the Norman economy.

"For our businesses and shopping and local restaurants are all going to see benefits when we pack this place out,” he said.

Out front, a celebration was held for the artwork called “elevate the game.” It was done by Italian artist Vito Di Bari, who’s worked in 84 different countries.

"All we've done here is done for the next generation of kids in Norman,” he said.

It depicts three athletes at the apex of winning gestures in their given sports. A swimmer, volleyball player and basketball player are all involved. As inspiration sits outside, so it sits inside with a saying from Trae Young that reads “another day, another opportunity.”

Olsen said they also plan to dabble in the E-sports world. They want to be the biggest E-sports arena in the state and to host the state championship there.