Anchorage

Photos: Faith Christian Community's 'The Center'

Behind a wall of tall trees along Arctic Boulevard, an Anchorage church is erecting a vast facility that is being billed as the city's newest community and athletic center, with plans for six outdoor playing fields, an indoor stage and a multi-purpose room with two basketball courts.

Leaders of the nondenominational Faith Christian Community ministry say "The Center," named for its central Anchorage location, will eventually offer a wide range of secular and faith-based community and recreational programs. The design calls for a 25,000-square-foot building with a kitchen, stage, classrooms, a children's play area and two high-school regulation basketball courts.

For part of the day on Sundays, the church will use the building for its religious services. Otherwise, the facility will be open to the public for a variety of uses, church officials say.

"This is our gift to the community," said Steve Magestro, the church's children's pastor and the director of the future center. "It's our hope that we'll be able to provide for the needs and interests of the community."

READ MORE: Anchorage church develops major expansion combining ministry, recreation

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