Albany City Commission approves SPLOST funding for Bill Miller Community Center
ALBANY, Ga. – The Bill Miller Community Center was re-zoned into Albany’s Ward 1 in 2023. And, following Tuesday night’s city commission meeting, big changes are going to be coming soon enough.
Over $300,000 in SPLOST dollars were approved Tuesday night to completely rebuild and remodel the Bill Miller Community Center.
As Commissioner, Jon Howard says, it’s going to be a long time coming.
“This gym is going to be demolished and it’s going to be built as a new facility. And, I’m so proud of that because this gym was built in 1977-78, and I played basketball here, 40 something years ago. So, I think it’s time for a new idea, and something fresher in the community,” said Jon Howard, Ward 1 Commissioner, City of Albany.
The plans include new basketball courts both inside and out as well as making it into a focal point in the surrounding east Albany neighborhood.
“We have a group in here now, the Indian population whose playing volleyball. We have young men and women who are here right now, that’s doing after school homework. So, we are encompassing to everybody what this facility is going to be all about: bringing unity, being built to love and bringing a lot of programs and activities to this community…” said Steven Belk, Director, Albany Recreation & Parks (ARPD).
In a report we brought you last fall, the Bill Miller Community Center was the starting point for a walking tour to highlight blight in east Albany.
Howard hopes following Tuesday’s night’s decision that a rebuilt Bill Miller Community Center will be the start of something new for the newest addition to his ward.
“It will hopefully spread around to the individuals who own their homes, buying homes, or renting their homes, that they’ll see the initiative that we get this brand new gym, and they’ll want to use the neighborhood as well,” said Commissioner Howard.
For now though, they’re moving forward with working with architects as they plan the future of the community center.
Commissioner Howard says the city will be working with a local architect and plans could be drawn up anywhere from 90 days to six months.
Brian Roche reporting.
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