Groundbreaking marks start of east Macon recreation center upgrades

A historic Macon neighborhood was the site of a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning for upgrades to the Rosa Jackson Recreation Center.

Macon-Bibb County leaders spoke about the $3.45 million in upgrades that will take place at the center in east Macon. The Rosa Jackson center is one of an assortment of recreation projects that will receive a total of $39.5 million of improvements as part of a voter-approved special sales tax.

The center at 1211 Maynard St. in the Fort Hill neighborhood will get a new gym, playground, splash pad and multi-purpose room along with other new amenities that should help it become a family destination in east Macon and beyond, said Commissioner Larry Schlesinger.

"This is now the before picture, but what will be created is something else, something we can be proud of," said Schlesinger, who represents the district where the center is located.

The project was designed to create a "wow factor," said Recreation Department Director Reggie Moore.

One of the center's features will be large windows that make good use of natural light. Construction is scheduled to begin next week and should be completed by the end of the year, said Kenna Scragg, vice president of operations for International City Builders.

The center also will get a computer lab, new bleachers and a fully-equipped workout space.

"I'm so thrilled that the Fort Hill area is receiving attention," Commissioner Elaine Lucas said. "Rest assured, we are committed to other things going on in this area."

Rosa Jackson is among about 10 recreation centers in Macon-Bibb County getting upgrades. With those projects, construction has either already started or is expected to start in 2016.

On Thursday, a ribbon cutting is scheduled at the John Drew Smith Tennis Center where $1.2 million will be spent on four new courts, new locker rooms and restrooms, an observation deck and more.

Other projects set to start this year include a new $7.8 million Sub-South Recreation Center. The park, which is off Sardis Church Road, will get six tennis courts, two multi-purpose fields, a track, basketball gym and an outdoor pool. Some of the other facelifts are taking place at the Central City Park and the Frank Johnson Center.

In late 2015, work began at the East Macon Recreation Center and the new Filmore Thomas Recreation Center that's situated on the property of the former Durr's Lake.

Many of those endeavors and other potential recreation improvements will need another influx of special purpose local option sales tax revenue to be completed, county officials said Wednesday.

To contact writer Stanley Dunlap, call 744-4623 or find him on Twitter@stan_telegraph.

This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 5:41 PM with the headline "Groundbreaking marks start of east Macon recreation center upgrades ."