Standing at the center of the brand new Parker Racquet Club, Craig Marshall said he needed to pinch himself.

Hundreds gathered for the grand opening ceremony March 30 to welcome the newest recreational facility to the town, a 48,000-square-foot steel indoor tennis facility. Something that, to Marshall and his co-owners, has been a dream come true.

“It's great to have a dream that's come to fruition. It feels very satisfying,” Marshall said.

The facility, at 18396 Plaza Drive, holds six tennis courts, locker rooms, a pro shop and a 135-foot-long viewing mezzanine, which sets the facility apart from many local clubs, Marshall said.

“I keep looking up thinking, `Are we at the Olympics?'” Marshall said to some friends at the ceremony.

The club's three co-owners, Marshall, Steve Prosowski and Barry Riddle, have been planning the facility since 2012. The building came to fruition through a public-private partnership between the club and the town. Mayor Mike Waid said the facility brings another unique opportunity for recreation to the town. Recreation, Waid said, is something Parker residents always want more of.

“Our whole recreation offering is one of our jewels,” Waid said. “This just fits into that bigger puzzle of Parker. This is Parker. This is what makes us so special is that we can have enough foresight to handle public-private partnerships like this, provide something our citizens want and be able to showcase Parker on a larger, regional scale."

With yellow balls flying around from tennis clinics in-action, Marshall, Riddle and Prosowski greeted friends, investors and tennis-lovers with ear-to-ear grins. Prosowski said he expects the facility to draw large-scale tennis tournaments from around the Front Range and possibly nationwide.

After achieving their dream, Prosowski said, the next step is to enjoy the moment, continue to execute and continue being an ambassador for the sport. Now, the goal is to make it the best club around, he said.

“Barry, Craig and myself have dreamt of this facility for six years,” Prosowski said. “It's almost like getting drafted by a pro sports team. You achieved your dream. It's amazing. I couldn't be happier the way it turned out, and it has almost a euphoric feeling.”