TAHLEQUAH — Mother and daughter Sharon and Jessica Johnson said they were impressed with the Cherokee Nation’s new recreation center.

“Since we’re Cherokee, it’s at no cost to us,” Sharon said. “It’s excellent; I like it a lot. I never went to another gym, because I couldn’t afford it.”

The Cherokee Nation on Tuesday hosted a grand opening and open house for the tribe’s new facility, the Male Seminary Family Recreation Center, located off of Fourth Street in Tahlequah.

Sharon and Jessica, already members, were trying out the stationary bicycles, and both said they were impressed with the latest addition to the Cherokee Nation’s growing list of facilities.

Jessica also was enthusiastic about the equipment and education programs.

“I really like it,” she said. “It has a wide variety of stuff. I’m working on weight loss and muscle gain. I want to get in shape so I don’t die young.”

The center occupies the former site of the Cherokee National Male Seminary educational institution. The land later housed a private Christian school called Markoma Bible Academy. The Cherokee Nation purchased the nearly 120-acre historic property in September 2005.

More than a workout center, the 25,000 square-feet recreation center is fashioned after successful community recreation and fitness centers such as YMCA and YWCA programs focused on families and offered in many large cities. It is staffed by 10 full-time and 10 part-time employees and is open to the public.

Several on-site Cherokee Nation Health Services programs include the Wings running club, center classes and leagues, Cherokee Elder Care, cancer programs, diabetes programs, home health and behavioral health.

Ongoing activities at the center include a variety of cardiovascular and strength training equipment, physical activity classes including yoga, aerobics, kick-boxing and core training, recreation leagues for adults and youth in basketball, softball, soccer and Cherokee stickball, health promotion classes including smoking cessation, healthy cooking, senior fitness and nutrition, and walking/running introductory classes. The center also offers nationally certified personal trainers to assess individual needs for physical activity, nutrition and health promotion. On-site trainers also will develop personalized training plans based on individual needs.

Dr. Gloria Grimm, medical director for the Cherokee Nation, said the center would improve the health of individuals, families and the community.

“It was designed with everybody in mind,” she said. “We’ve tried to take away a lot of barriers by offering child care and making this for the entire family. And, it’s not just about physical activity. We’re also having some nutritional and cooking classes.”

Principal Chief Chad Smith said the center fits in with the tribal vision of the Cherokee Nation.