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The climbing wall is seen at the new Orem Fitness Center. March 18, 2021. 

Courtesy Orem City

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The new Orem Fitness Center is providing three ways to get from the second floor to the first floor. There are normal-spaced stairs, wide-spaced stairs and an adult slide for those who want to get to the main floor quickly. March 18, 2021. 

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A view inside of the new Orem Fitness Center. The urban industrial look of the new center gives it a very clean and streamlined visual. It opens Saturday at 9 a.m. for the ribbon-cutting. March 18, 2021. 

Courtesy Orem City

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The updated indoor pools at the new Orem Fitness Center. The doors open at 9 a.m. for a ribbon-cutting. Regular hours are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. March 18, 2021. 

Courtesy Orem City

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New locker rooms are shown at the Orem Fitness Center. The center is also providing a special family area dressing room area. March 18, 2021. 

Courtesy Orem City

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The panel of windows and mountains in the background as seen from the second story cardio exercise area of the new Orem Fitness Center. Feb. 8, 2021.

Courtesy Orem Fitness Center

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There are various means of getting back and forth between the main level and second level of the new Orem Fitness Center. Going up? Use the incline walk or conventional stairs. Those heading down can use the stairs or the adult-sized slide if stairs are hard on your knees. The rolling creeper at the bottom of the stairs is presumably optional. The center is scheduled to open Saturday, March 20. Feb. 8, 2021.

Courtesy Orem Fitness Center

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The new spin room is pictured at the Orem Fitness Center. The center opens for business Saturday at 10 a.m. a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held prior at 9 a.m.  March 18, 2021. 

Courtesy Orem City

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The long-awaited opening of the Orem Fitness Center has almost arrived.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, the Parks and Recreation department will hold a ribbon-cutting and celebration. The renovated center will then be open for business at 10 a.m.

Regular operating hours are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. starting Monday. The center is closed Sundays.

On Saturday, the fitness center will be on high engagement with the community and will be providing classes, teachers and demonstrations in every room and location in the building, according to Karl Hirst, director of Parks and Recreation.

For the past few days, the public has been able to tour the facilities to get a firsthand look at what to expect from the facility and its amenities.

Approximately 900 people have already toured the center and the response has been narrowed down to one word, which, according to Hirst, is “Wow!”

“Other than, ‘wow,’ the biggest comment has been, ‘There is something for everyone,’ ” Hirst said. “And almost all have commented on the great views.”

Many of the exercise and running facilities have a full two-story view of Mt. Timpanogos on which to gaze. The view will most likely never be encumbered as the Mountain View High School parking lot and football stadium borders the center.

In reference to Orem’s neighbor Provo, Hirst said. “Provo’s got a great facility, but I think we’re there, too.”

One of the fun, adult attractions in the center is next to the children’s playground area. It is a large adult-sized slide that takes you from the second to the first floor, instead of taking the stairs that are provided.

Hirst said the final touches have been going well and the facility will be ready for Saturday’s onslaught of exercise enthusiasts.

“I’m excited, I’m loving watching people’s faces,” Hirst said. “I can’t think about retirement until Sunday.”

After more than three decades with the city, Hirst will retire on March 31.

For those who want to know what is going on at the center in real time, particularly if it’s busy, you can download an Orem Rec app to your phone. It shows what’s going on and offers people counts in real time.

Hirst said the app also helps people concerned about COVID to know when it’s slow and what the percentage of capacity is, in case they choose to come to the center when it is less busy.

Residents may also find information on http://oremrecreation.org.