The city held a ribbon-cutting Tuesday for a performing arts center.

And a playground.

And a gymnasium.

And tennis courts.

And a community meeting center.

And a multimedia center.

And a public library.

And pickleball courts.

All at the same time and same place.

The Sandra Moon Community Complex was officially opened with Mayor Tommy Battle, City Council President Jennie Robinson, city officials and family of the late city council member on hand.

Photo: City of Huntsville

“For some people, it’s an arts center, for others it’s a basketball center, a pickleball center …,” said City Administrator John Hamilton. “This is a unique piece of a mosaic for the whole city.”

The site is the former Grissom High School campus and only the school’s main and auxiliary gymnasiums remain.

It is named for Sandra Moon, who served on the Huntsville City Council from 1998-2010.

“Sandra was the second woman to serve on the City Council,” said Robinson. “She was the first to serve as president.

“Her example as a servant leader guided me.”

After she left the City Council, Moon chaired a committee formulating plans for how the former Grissom High campus could be utilized for the community.

Moon died in 2013 and, in 2017, the City Council named the future complex in her honor.

“Sandra Moon was a woman of great conviction and an outstanding public servant,” Battle said. “Also my friend and my mentor.

“I can’t think of a more fitting tribute to her and to her life.”

The complex – which previously opened the South Huntsville Public Library along with a children’s playground and outdoor recreational facilities – includes an event hall that can accommodate more than 200 people for seated activities, refurbished gymnasiums, adaptive activities spaces for special needs residents of all ages and a multimedia center.

“This project grew from the needs of many projects,” Battle said. “Huntsville needed a new school. South Huntsville needed a new library … the performing arts needed a home. We needed more places for recreation.

“People needed more courts … you can never have enough pickleball courts.”

The complex provides a home for Arts Huntsville with office and rehearsal space along with the renovated 600-seat auditorium and a special climate-controlled room to house a grand piano. Arts Huntsville will hold a ribbon cutting for the auditorium Sept. 25.

“Recreation goes beyond ballfields and courts,” said Parks & Recreation Director James Gossett. “There is so much here for everyone to enjoy but there are two areas I am particularly excited about. The new adaptive recreation spaces provide an area to meet the needs of our special populations and it’s something unlike anything else in a city facility. It will allow us to expand programming and truly make this a place for everyone.

“Also, our new multimedia center gives teens and adults a place to enjoy gaming, technology and creative activities. We can’t wait to see what you will do with this. Come use it.”

Grissom High School relocated in 2017. The remaining campus will take on a new life as a “town center” for the community around it.

“Our family is truly honored and humbled to the core,” said Moon’s daughter, Kelly Moon Crutchfield, a 1996 graduate of Grissom. “The community she loved came together to create something that will serve generations to come.”