CHELSEA – The city of Chelsea on Friday, Feb. 8, recognized the 1,000th member of the Chelsea Community Center.

The 1,000th member was Randall Dunavant, who purchased the membership on Friday, Feb. 1, and then returned a week later to be presented a plaque by Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer.

“We noticed the track, and the weight room looked cool,” said Dunavant, whose family had visited the center for Chelsea Youth Club practices before deciding on a membership. “And then some of the things that are planned, I think it’s great.”

Dunavant said the switch to a membership format was actually one of the things that attracted them.

“The folks that are going to be coming are coming for the right reasons,” he said.

Chelsea officials said they have heard from others who like the format.

“We’ve seen people coming in wanting a membership that we’ve never seen before in three years,” Programs Director Jane Ann Mueller said.

The 1,000 membership mark was reached in about two months since the change on Jan. 2.

Dunavant and his wife, Tammy, have two children, Emma Grace and Mia.

Emma Grace is a member of the middle school dance team and will utilize the Community Center’s running track, while Mia is a basketball player and will practice in the gym.

Dunavant and his family have lived in the Chelsea Park area for about three years after he and his wife grew up in Winfield.

The family appreciates the local school system and other aspects about life in Chelsea, including the Community Center, Dunavant said.

The membership format allows for added security at the Center, as once members sign in using their badge, their photograph is displayed.

Memberships are available for single ($75 for Shelby County residents and $125 for out-of-county residents per year) and family ($125 for in-county and $175 for out-of-county) rates.

A day pass costs $10, and those admitted for free include active duty and retired military members and their immediate households, county residents age 65 and older, and city of Chelsea employees and their immediate households.

The Center’s hours have changed, and it is operating from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, visit Chelsea.recdesk.com or call 677-2052.