RECREATION

The commission, in 2015, entered into an agreement whereby responsibility for operation of Thornton Gym was transferred to the local Boys and Girls Club. 161 The former city manager, in a news release, stated the facility was “in need of functional and cosmetic renovations, to include roof replacement, restroom renovations, flooring replacement, interior and exterior paint, and replacement of the basketball court. Mechanical and electrical improvements and technology upgrades will also be necessary.” An article covering this decision stated city officials expected this arrangement “to be a model for future projects”. 162 Renovation of Thornton Gym and construction of a wading pool and splash pad were completed at a cost of $1.4 million. 163

Recreation was a priority in Bo’s mayoral campaign. Bo committed that, if elected, he would assure that all available funding was promptly allocated to improvement of the city’s recreational facilities and that the next SPLOST referendum, if approved, would have a substantial allocation for recreation. The FY 21 budget included $1.3 million to renovate Bill Miller and Henderson gyms, and $750,000 for improvements to Carver Park. 164 The deficiencies listed in the former city manager’s news release regarding conditions at Thornton Gym were also present at Bill Miller and Henderson. Subsequent assessments of Bill Miller and Henderson confirmed the city would have had to elevate the floors of both gyms or erect flood walls, as both buildings are situated in the flood plain. 165 Neither building has a lobby, which would allow staff to monitor and restrict access, and neither is ADA compliant.

The commission, after considering these issues at its fall retreat, made the decision to replace both facilities, and further resolved to expand the offerings at Driskell Park, Henderson Park, and Kalmon Malone Park, where the Bill Miller Center is located. $3.8 million was available for recreation improvements from SPLOST VI and SPLOST VII. The commission transferred $2.2 million from other SPLOST VII projects to recreation. The Finance Department informed the commission that SPLOST VII collections were exceeding projections, and that the city was expected to receive more than $4 million over what had been allocated. It was agreed that these funds would be utilized for recreation, in view of an assessment of the city’s primary recreation facilities, most of which were deemed to be in POOR or FAIR condition. 166

While citizens attending public hearings typically expressed support for competitive sports, whether for themselves or community youth, surveys identify programs and facilities for older adults, such as walking trails, exercise equipment, and adult fitness classes, as the highest priorities. It was decided that future investments would address the needs of this population. LOSE Design was retained as the architect to redesign Driskell Park. A new community center will be constructed, which will feature a large multi-purpose room, and a smaller room for after-school programs. The park will feature a regulation football field, with goalposts and a scoreboard, two regulation basketball courts, and a playground. Adults will have the opportunity to participate in fitness classes which will be offered in the community center and walk on the track which will be constructed along the perimeter of the park. The park will be enclosed with an ornamental fence and will have lighting for security.

Rep. Bishop secured $3 million dollars for the renovation of the park. 167 The commission agreed to allocate $3.2 million in SPLOST to cover the balance of the initial budget, being $6.2 million, and further allocated $6.35 million to build a community center, with a regulation gymnasium, at Henderson, “due to the aging condition of the current building and because it is located in a flood zone”. 168

Construction costs skyrocketed following the pandemic, and the final budget for Driskell Park was $8 million. Three commissioners were opposed to this level of funding, concerned that the city would not have the resources to move forward with other recreation projects which had been discussed. Bo, in support of his efforts to assure Driskell Park was constructed as designed, emphasized the community center at Driskell Park and the Bill Miller and Henderson gyms “have outlived their useful life”. He asserted: “We have the option of continuing to wallow in mediocrity or to make a sufficient investment in our community, our youth, and our citizens to ensure we’re proud of what the city of Albany has to offer. This is the first of three major projects.” 169

The groundbreaking was held on May 23, 2023. 170

The city, only days before the groundbreaking at Driskell Park, learned that Gov. Kemp had awarded $6.6 million in ARPA funds to the city, with $2.2 million designated for Henderson Park, $2.2 million designated for Kalmon Malone Park, and $2.2 million designated for Carver Gym. 171 Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions was retained to generate a revised recreation master plan in 2021. The master plan includes a summary of previous plans, an analysis of all existing facilities, and recommendations for implementation of capital improvements. Those facilities, in addition to Driskell Park and the three gyms, include Carver Gym, the Flint River Municipal Golf Course (formerly Turner Golf Course), Gordon Park, Lockett Station Community Center, Odom Fitness and Wellness Center, and Turner Gym, several youth baseball and softball fields (8 th Avenue, Gillespie Park, Highland Park, International Park, Ken Gardens, and Sherwood Park), and scores of smaller neighborhood parks.

The commission has retained Wood to redesign Henderson Park. The community center will be constructed on the north side of the property, out of the flood plain. It will have offices and a multi-purpose room, where fitness classes will be offered for adults. The footprint of the park will be extended, and youth baseball fields or a multi-purpose field will be constructed to the south of the gym. There will be a large playground, an outdoor basketball court, and picnic shelters for group gatherings. There will be a walking trail and Zackery and Willard Avenues will be extended to provide additional access to the park.

The projected cost is $7.5 million. The city will, in addition to the $2.2 million awarded by Gov. Kemp, utilize the balance of the remaining surplus collections from SPLOST VI and SPLOST VII, and allocate funds from SPLOST VIII if not from the second tranche of ARPA funds. Bo, honoring his commitment to secure substantial funds for recreation in the next SPLOST, sought $15 million. 172 Eventually, $13 million was allocated for recreation improvements in SPLOST VIII. 173 This exceeds the sums designated for recreation in the three previous SPLOST referenda combined.