Recreation

Constructed in 2001, the David City Family Aquatic Center opened for business in the summer of 2002. The new facility houses a pool vessel that is over 5,700 square in size. The facility also houses a new bathhouse, which is 23,000 square feet in size and has both a men's and women's shower facility. The new facility has a maximum capacity of 550 people and includes a large waterpark slide. The David City Family Aquatic Center is one of the premier city pools in eastern Nebraska.

The David City Golf Course is a publicly owned and privately run facility. It is open to the public with very minimal fees. The golf course is a nine-hole golf course that offers the only island tee box (on the 7th hole) in the state. The facility Clubhouse offers a pro shop; rental carts; and a restaurant. The Golf Course is located at 899 Park Drive, which is in the David City Park. For more information contact the Golf Club at (402) 367-4292

The Thorpe Opera House was built by W. B. Thorpe and opened for the cultural use of David City in 1889. The building was refurbished and reopened in 1981. It is available for use by any group or individual in the community for meetings, dinners, receptions, theatre, and musical events.

The Municipal Auditorium, located in the middle of the David City Park, serves eastern Nebraska for many family reunions, wedding receptions and dances, meetings, ag expos, church dinners, banquets, parties, and local school activities.

The lower level of the auditorium has a 90 x 70 ft. meeting area (capacity 375) with a fully equipped kitchen, a bar, 20 x 30 ft. stage, clean restrooms, air conditioning, and recently replaced new windows.

For more information about the auditorium or rental reservations and fees, contact the David City Auditorium at (402) 367-3914 or dcparkauditorium@hotmail.com.

David City Auditorium Floor Plans

Nichols Round Barn

One of the most unique building structures in Butler County is a sixteen cornered "round barn" located 3 miles west and 1 1/2 miles south of David City. John Nichols had this barn built in 1912 by his nephew, W. M. Nichols of Blockton, IA, patterned after a round barn near Lincoln. Mr. Nichols, who was hay farmer, determined that a greater amount of hay could be stored in this type of barn than in a conventional four sided one. When completed, this frame structure could store 200 tons of hay at one time. Below the hay mow, a wide passageway separated horse stalls from an area for pigs and sheep. When the mow was finally empty of its hay burden in late spring, Mr. Nichols would throw a community barn dance, bringing in orchestras from Omaha and Lincoln who were positioned on a sturdy platform over the center loading hole. The barn is still in use today. Hay is stored in the loft as well as equipment in the lower level.