Geneva Park Board President Chuck Emma’s first impression of the new recreation center at Peck Farm Park was one of awe.

“I knew this was going to be an impressive structure, but I think this has surpassed even the Park District’s expectations,” he said after a tour of the facility with other park officials Monday Aug. 18.

The 50,000-square-foot recreational facility is on the north side of Kaneville Road across from Peck Farm, 38W199 Kaneville Road.

The “barn-like” structure is expected to ease the space constraints felt due to the district’s increased usage. Included in the Park District’s master plan, the center includes two indoor basketball courts, a fitness center, a three-lane walking/running track, men and women’s steam rooms, indoor playground and multiple program rooms. The facility is expected to open by mid-fall.

“This is such a wonderful extension to what the Park District already offers,” said Megan Johnson, the district’s public relations supervisor. “I think the community is really going to enjoy it.”

An exposed wall theme runs throughout the building, and on the main floor, siding from a barn built in the 1800s was refurbished for use in the facility.

Park District officials have already started selling fitness center memberships.

Membership discounts of 20 percent will continue until Friday, Aug. 29. Memberships can be purchased at either the office located at Peck Farm Recreation Center or Sunset Racquetball and Fitness Center, 710 Western Ave.

“We’ve never had the chance to offer membership to nonresidents because there wasn’t enough room to accommodate them,” said Johnson. “With this new facility, we can easily do that.”

Board President Emma wants to see the community using the new rec center.

“We didn’t (build this) for kicks,” Emma said. “We want people here; and we want people involved.”