Weiss said she expects the new McDowell Center will attract more than 200,000 admissions annually, surpassing the city’s most widely visited fitness and aquatic facility at Cactus and Scottsdale Roads.

The fitness center will be open to all Scottsdale residents for a fee of $2 per use; the nonresident fee is $3 a visit.

The complex will include a lap pool, a large tube water slide, a 600‑foot lazy river and a beach‑like play area with real sand. McDowell Mountain Ranch Park already has soccer and football fields and is home to a city library.

In addition, the new fitness center will be stocked with cardiovascular equipment from TechnoGym, an Italian fitness equipment manufacturer. Up until now, TechnoGym equipment has been used exclusively in private spas and private health clubs.

“As best we can determine, this will be the first time the company’s equipment will be used in a publicly accessible facility,” said Felicia Thomas, public relations specialist for Scottsdale Healthcare.

The exercise equipment consists of treadmills and stationary bicycles, Thomas said. The equipment allows users to track and record their workout sessions, according to TechnoGym’s Web site. Patrons who wish to use this function will be charged a nominal fee in addition to the fitness center fee.

Reach the reporter at barry@thedesertadvocate.com.