Photo: Pictured is an artist’s rendering of the new Rainbow City Recreation Center to be located off Lumley Road. The Rainbow City Council recently approved a $15,241,146 for the project
On Monday, July 8, the Rainbow City Council unanimously voted to approve a letter to precede for the construction of the new recreation center.
The contract was awarded to Dominguez & Persons, LLC, which entered a bid of $15,241,146.
Bids for the project were opened on Thursday June 27 at the Rainbow City Community Center. Two other bids were entered, with Dominguez & Persons bid coming in at the lowest cost.
The facility, which will be located on Lumley Road across from John S. Jones Elementary School, is expected to include indoor basketball courts, a walking track, a fitness area and meeting rooms. An Olympic-sized swimming pool, exterior amphitheater, splash pad and site work for a playground are also covered by the bid.
“It is really a quality-of-life type center,” said Taylor. “It is going to be something where we can see families being able to enjoy their whole summer there.”
Taylor said the project aligns with the city’s most recent master plan.
“Right now, [the city council] is allowing me to bring them a good product and they vote on that to move us forward and handle some of these catalyst projects. Honestly, this will become the foundation of our city.”
The new rec center will be located close to the KIA Sports Plex/Rainbow City and the new Challenger Learning Center. The elementary and middle schools are located on Lumley Road as well.
“We’re developing more of an educational and recreation corridor,” said Taylor. “It is an area we know we can concentrate to put families and people together and bring our community together. That’s part of the reason we included a small amphitheater behind this recreation area. We are going to have some good times there.”
According to Taylor, there has been been engagement with an architect and a builder for the Challenger Center project. A groundbreaking ceremony could be held in a few months.
The recreation center groundbreaking could be held in a few weeks.
Taylor added that the rec center is the first of many steps to come that will continue the growth of Rainbow City.
