White County Commissioners have agreed to spend close to $11 million to construct the new Yonah Preserve Recreation and Community Center.
Commissioners have been looking at different designs since last fall when they selected Charles Black Construction Company as the Construction Manager and BCA Studios as the architects for the project,
During their regular meeting on Monday, the board voted to move forward with the latest design plans that call for a two-court gym, which can be used for basketball or volleyball, office space, a wood pavilion in front, and a Splash Pad.
The building will also be equipped with a backup generator and a couple of shower facilities that will allow the facility to be used as an emergency shelter if needed.
The Commissioners opted to go with a wooden pavilion rather than steel because they felt it would fit better with the recreation area.
Commission Chairman Travis Turner noted this is a major project for the county.
“We look forward to doing this project; it’s going to benefit our community for many, I think, decades to come, so it’s a wonderful, wonderful opportunity,” he said.
The county will utilize general funds and hotel/motel tax funds to pay for it.
The current recreation gym was built in 1988 and, according to Turner, will still be utilized after the new facility is operational.
