The Holden Image

Recreation

Hosting activities for people of all ages.
The many clubs and organizations in the Holden and Kingsville area offer many activities for youth, adults and seniors. Pictured at right is a local child participating in the 2000 Fishing Derby at the Holden City Lake.

The event is sponsored each May by the Holden Optimist Club, in conjuction with activities by the Holden Water Department. Other annual events include the Fall Fiesta in late September, the spring PTO Carnival at the Holden elementary school, Chamber of Commerce July 4th fireworks display and Saddle Club ride-in.

Community activity center offers new opportunities.

The Community Activity Center has quickly become a big asset to Holden and surrounding areas. Built in 2000, the center has two basketball courts and room for three volleyball courts with spectator seating of approximately 800 people.

Construction of the facility was funded through a Community Development Block Grant awarded to the city of Holden and the HOPE Coalition in 1998. Improvements and additions continue to be made at the center including new theater seating, which should be complete by late September or early October. An enclosed concession area is also being finished to provide refreshments for spectators.

Cindy Davis of rural Holden is the center director. Under her guidance, a number of youth and adult sports leagues and tournaments are held year-round at the new facility.

The center specializes in basketball and volleyball but can also be rented for banquets, parties and other social events as well. It has quickly become an important part of the Holden Chamber of Commerce's annual Fall Fiesta, providing a new location for art, craft and agricultural displays.

For additional information, contact Davis at 816-732-3522 or visit the center on the World Wide Web at www.eteamzsports.com/cacsports.

Botanical garden enchants local residents, visitors.

Powell Gardens is a botanical garden located north and west of Holden on U.S. Highway 50. The garden intrigues visitors with its exotic flowering plants, foliage and water displays.

In the spring of 2001, the island garden was added to the Powell Garden's many features. This $1.6 million project, which took two years to complete, boasts 800 varieties of plants, 84 varieties of water plants and 250 varieties of rock plants, highlighted with a three-pooled cascading water garden.

In addition to the island garden, Powell Gardens is the site for many weddings, often held at the Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel.

The visitor's center offers a variety of services to its customers, including an indoor garden, a cafe and a gift shop. Powell Gardens is also host to a number of classes and evening activities on various topics, including astronomy and insects.

The gardens are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission from August through October is $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for senior citizens, $2.50 for children ages 5-12 and children under five are admitted free of charge. November through March, admission is one dollar less and children under five still get in for free.

For more information about Powell Gardens, call 816-697-2600.

Holden Saddle Club invites equine enthusiasts.

The Holden Saddle Club is an organization open to anyone who loves horses and wishes to share his or her love for the animal with those of similar interest.

Currently, the Holden Saddle Club is host to nearly 30 families, who meet monthly, the first Tues-day of every month. The Holden Saddle Club participates in many activities, including trail rides, parades, rodeos and horse shows.

For more information, contact Linda Frazier at 816-732-4156.

Local golf players match swings at Broken Tee Golf.
Broken Tee Golf Course is a public golf course located just west of Holden on Highway 58. The course offers several activities, including a structured men's golf league and an informal women's night, for women to enjoy a relaxing game of golf with their friends.

Broken Tee is open from daylight to dark, seven days a week. Monday through Friday, customers can play a 9- or an 18-hole golf game at a cost of $8 or $13, respectively. On the weekends, Broken Tee's customers have the same option for $9 and $14, respectively.

For more information, call 816-732-6242.

A day at the Motocross with Challenge Trax.
Challenge Trax is a motocross track that caters to the spectator of all ages. Races are held three Saturdays a month, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The track offers full concessions, clean restrooms and plenty of seats for viewing. Admission is $6 for adults. Children under age 10 and adults over 65 are admitted free of charge. Challenge Trax is located at 187 NW Rt. W in Kingsville. For more information, call 816-597-3988.

Holden City Park offers traditional attractions, arena.
The Holden City Park, located on Highway 58 East in Holden, offers a variety of recreational activities and sites for the Holden community.

Included in the park's attractions are a full-size baseball diamond, playground equipment, picnic shelters, sand volleyball court, basketball court, walking trail and an area for horseshoe pitching. The park also includes a horse arena and stables, which are a frequent setting for livestock shows and rodeos.

For more information, contact Rusty Kephart, chairman of the Holden Park Board, at 816-732-5785.

Waterhole swimming pool hosts summer fun, parties.
The Waterhole is a privately-owned swimming pool that offers something for swimmers of all ages. Located at 301 E. 10th St., adjacent to the Holden City Park, the pool offers swimming lessons, adults-only swimming time and party rental.

The Waterhole is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday during the summer season. Season passports can be purchased at the pool, and they cost $30 for an individual or $150 for a family. Daily admission is $2 per person.

For more information, call the Waterhole staff 816-732-4100.

Baseball complex in construction by Sports Association.
A new three-field baseball complex is currently being readied on the north side of town by the Holden Sports Association. The facility is planned to include a concession stand and bathrooms. It was used for practice fields in the summer 2001 leagues.

Contact people for local clubs & organizations

Holden Garden Club
Terry Gudde at 816-732-5804.
Holden Jaycees
John Helton at 816-732-6644.
Holden SOS Congress
Katie Gudde at 816-732-5375.
Holden VFW Post 5844
Commander Jesse Padgett at 816-732-4380.
Holden VFW Post 5844 Ladies Auxiliary
Mary McConville at 816-732-6528.
American Legion
Commander J.K. Chester at 816-732-6739.
Shakespeare Club
Ruth Hammond at 816-732-4374.
Daughters of the American Revolution
Wanda McCalmon at 660-498-3342.
Sunny Hour Club
Sheryl Hamlin at 816-732-6682.
All Together Homemakers Club
Lois Clarke at 816-850-4716.
Holden Sports Association
Todd Duvall at 816-850-4616.
Holden Saddle Club
Linda Frazier at 816-732-4156.
Holden Optimist Club
Jim Stumpff at 816-732-3535.