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Important Dates

Rec Center public meeting Aug. 14

A public meeting to receive community input on the new regional recreation center to be built in Cornelius will take place at 6 pm Monday Aug. 14 at Bailey Middle School. The new facility will be located on the west side of Hwy. 115, just north of the Energy United complex. Preliminary plans call for a 120,000 square foot facility. It will be constructed on a vacant parcel of land Mecklenburg County bought several years ago from the proceeds of the parks bond approved by voters in 2008. While the basic county outline of recreation facilities will be followed, the center will be customized for specific uses and activities based on input received from local residents.

“The planning is taking off now right now,” said Mecklenburg County Parks Director James Garges. “It’s going to be a huge increase in indoor recreation for people of all ages.”

That can’t come soon enough for many residents as the northern end of Mecklenburg County has experienced explosive growth in population since 2000. “Frankly, we are maxed out in terms of recreational needs and we could fill a new center tomorrow,” said Cornelius Parks Director Troy Fitzsimons.

In previous capital planning documents, the county envisioned the new regional recreation center to be a full service destination facility which would include indoor family aquatic facilities,  a large fitness center, group exercise areas, multi-purpose rooms, youth/teen activity areas, visual and performing art instruction rooms as well as special areas for senior activities.

Specific elements will be incorporated into the plans once community input is received and evaluated.