The North Charleston Rec. Center in Charleston, West Virginia

The North Charleston Rec. Center is a recreation and a community center that is free to the public. It is located conveniently off of 7th Avenue in North Charleston,West Virginia. Families can take advantage of many things at the Rec.

The basketball gym is by far the most popular part of the recreation center. The gym is free with one regulation full court and 2 side full courts which equals a total of 6 rims in the inside gym. This is nice because when people is playing on the main rims, you can choose to play on the side rims. If you don't have a ball then the center can provide you with one when you sign in. A big green net separates the regulated full court because adults won't take over the hole gym leaving the kids with no where to play. So this leaves one main basket on each side with two side baskets on each side. The two side rims is where people get full court pick up games going.

If you are in the area then I don't see why pay a big membership fee for the South Charleston Recreation Center or the YMCA. North Charleston offers a free weight and fitness center with the traditional bench press to the new exercise machines. There are two rooms in the weight room. One is all of your free weights and benches and in the other room is mostly exercise machines so you have a wide variety of workouts you can work with.

If it is hobbies and activities you are seeking then look no further. The Rec. always has flyer's and announcements posted on the bulletin board to show you whats going on and what you can sign up for. Crafts, karate, and volleyball are some of the activities one can join or participate in. All ages are welcomed with activities for everyone.

The center is surrounded by 4 fields, an outside basketball court, tennis court, a pool and a playground. In the front of the building at the main entrance you can not miss the two softball fields. You can sign up to be in a league or some nights just go out and watch a good softball game. Teams compete in both fields which are in between the main road and the center. You can hear the crowds cheering down North Charleston all the way up on the hill of the West Side. The outside basketball court is nice for those who want the playground feel of playing basketball. Two rims over look a full court of black top where you can get a good game going under the sun. The playground is a nice place to keep the kids occupied while the softball games are going on or to just simply get the children out of the house for some old fashioned fun.

The tennis court is located right beside the playground and a softball field which is right across from the pool. In the summer time you can't beat taking a dip in the North Charleston Rec's pool. You are sure to get cool rather in the kid pool or jumping off the diving boards and yes there is a concession stand for those who need lunch.

Out back of the Rec. is where memories are made. First of all you have Safety City which is a miniature city where kids go on field trips. The kids get to learn fire safety in a house that fills with smoke or drive a go cart learning to use driving safety. For some Safety City is a place to learn and have fun but to others it is the place where the Little League home runs go. Safety City on the other side of the fence from the Little League baseball field. This is where you can sign your kids up for tee ball,softball, and baseball. In the field next to it is where Senior League baseball is played. That is the 13 and up league and also home to Charleston Catholic High School's baseball team. In the fall it is transformed into the Doc Generals football midget league field.

You can be an adult looking to get in shape or a parent looking to get your kids involved in an activity. It really don't matter because chances are the North Charleston Community Center offers what you are looking for.