Upper Macungie Township officials, community partners, and members of the media toured the nearly completed Community Lifestyle Center at Grange Park on May 28, getting a first look inside the highly anticipated facility scheduled to open in mid-June.

The project represents a partnership between Upper Macungie Township and founding partners Air Products, Alvin H. Butz Inc., Jaindl, and Lehigh Valley Health Network, now part of Jefferson Health.

Laura McHugh, chair of the Upper Macungie Township Community Fund Board, welcomed guests and reflected on the excitement of watching the project rise from the ground since construction began in September 2024.

“This building is truly not only the heart of the Upper Macungie community, but also very quickly going to become a local community treasure,” McHugh said.

Mike Butz of Alvin H. Butz Inc., construction manager for the project, said major structural work was completed over the past year, including installation of the building’s exposed timber trusses, roofing, windows, stonework, and the indoor turf field.

Final interior finishes, equipment installation, and site work are expected to be completed in early June.

Township Supervisor Sunny Ghai described the center as a response to the township’s rapid growth and a commitment to providing residents with opportunities to connect, stay active, and build community.

“This project is far more than recreation,” Ghai said. “It’s about building community, supporting wellness, creating opportunities, and giving residents a true gathering place that they can call their own.”

The approximately 143,000-square-foot facility includes community meeting rooms, a café and concession area, fitness spaces, locker rooms, a walking track, and two gymnasiums.

The center’s signature feature is a full-sized indoor turf field surrounded by a four-lane walking track.

Recreation and Parks Director Ryan Griffiths led the tour, highlighting the building’s flexibility.

Community rooms can host meetings, educational programs, support groups, birthday parties, and corporate retreats.

The gymnasiums are designed for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, fitness classes, career fairs, craft shows, dances, and other community events.

The indoor turf field can accommodate sports practices and competitions while also serving as a venue for concerts, cultural festivals, resource fairs, and large community gatherings.

Lehigh Valley Health Network will operate sports performance and wellness programming within the facility.

Bobby McClarin, director of Sports Medicine Partnerships, LVHN, said residents will have access to fitness programs, athletic training services, health screenings, nutrition education, and wellness seminars.

The center was designed with sustainability in mind.

Officials noted that the massive timber trusses spanning approximately 180 feet above the turf field are among the longest structural timber pier spans in North America.

The indoor turf contains approximately 80 percent recycled materials, the gym flooring is recyclable, and electric vehicle charging stations will be available on site.

Griffiths noted that the vision for the project dates back more than a decade and evolved through multiple planning efforts before becoming reality.

“This is a never-going-to-happen kind of dream,” Griffiths said. “To walk into this and see what has been accomplished is a fantastic thing.”

The Community Lifestyle Center is expected to open to the public in mid-June and will serve residents of all ages through recreation, fitness, educational programming, community events, and wellness services.