The Worthington Community Center has new carpeting, new free weights and new vending machines -- and it is sparkling clean and ready for a new season.

"It looks great," parks and recreation director Darren Hurley said during the grand re-opening Tuesday morning, Sept. 4.

At the end of each summer, the Community Center closes its doors for a week or two. This year, the pool was closed for two weeks, and the rest of the center was closed for eight days.

During that time, everything is repaired and cleaned, and some things are replaced.

In some years, the changes are not noticeable. This year, they were.

"It's not often you get something as substantial as carpeting," Hurley said.

The carpet, which cost $120,000, is on the first floor and in the fitness center on the second floor. The free-weights area has new rubber flooring.

It was time, Hurley said. The fitness center, pool and the rest of the north addition will celebrate its first decade this coming February.

"Ten years is a pretty good life span for carpet," he said.

Fitness equipment is replaced every five years on a rotating basis. This year it was time to replace the weightlifting equipment.

Other improvements are in the south locker rooms and the north showers.

The pool was drained and cleaned. New lane lines were painted in the lap pool, and the slide was caulked.

Everything was cleaned, said Hurley, who gave credit for the job that was done to building-maintenance coordinator Randy Hannigan.

In its early years, the center would close portions at a time, allowing some use at all times. Now everything closes at once, allowing for more efficiency, Hurley said.

Centers in other communities also close completely to allow for annual maintenance, he said.

The other addition that visitors will notice is the new vending machines, Hurley said. The new vendor is Human Healthy Vending, which provides healthier snack options such as juices and low-sodium crackers.

With first lady Michelle Obama calling for improved nutrition for children, and with more parents looking for healthier food choices, it was time for the change, Hurley said.