Plan for the future of Smyrna parks

One thing most of us can agree on is that Smyrna's parks are second to none. It's one of the first things I noticed when I moved to the Smryna area a few years ago and I've been pleased to watch the growth and expansion of the parks over the past couple of years.

A plan was presented to the City Council Thursday evening to keep our parks some of the best around, as well as to expand the current number of parks over the next 14 years. The plan includes the building of an $11 million dollar indoor recreation center.

To be included in a comprehensive park is an eight-field baseball complex,
a "Miracle Field" for the ABLES Recreation League, a soccer complex with eight
to 12 fields, a splash pad similar to the one at Gregory Mill Park, nature
trails, pavilions and playgrounds. Work there would be completed in three
phases, with most of the work starting in the 2007-2008 budget year.

Also considered by the Town Council was the renovation and expansion of the Town Center, turning it into an indoor community center as well as the expansion of Lee Victory Recreation Park on Sam Ridley Drive.

A draft of the 2006-2020 master plan created by Barge Waggoner Sumner and
Cannon calls for adding 25,000 square feet of space to the existing
35,000-square-foot Town Centre facility.

The banquet rooms where clubs, college classes and other special events meet will remain in place, but the racquetball courts, fitness area and aerobic rooms will be renovated. A double gymnasium is also planned, as is a new children's pool and concession stand. The document shows the existing outdoor pool will be renovated and designed for adult use.

Renovations would not begin until 2008 and would be completed by 2010. The cost would be around $6 million dollars.