Virginia Beach, Va. (WTKR) - The City of Virginia Beach is looking to replace the Kempsville Recreation Center.
"The rec center was built in 1977. It was the city’s first rec center. It’s currently the oldest rec center," explained Rob MacPherson with the Parks and Recreation Department.
Kempsville is also one of the busiest centers in the city's system and they hope replacing it with a new more efficient building will save the city money in the long run.
"We’ve estimated that we’ll save approximately $3 million over an average 30 year life span," MacPherson stated.
Among the amenities being considered for the new center is a zero-depth entry for the pool, an indoor jogging/walking track and three child development rooms.
Construction on a new Kempsville Rec Center wouldn't start until the new Bow Creek Rec Center is up and running.
That means the city won't have 7 rec centers fully operational for at least three more years.
"Save the costs of staffing a 7th rec center until 2016," MacPherson said. "So we could go ahead and start the construction and stay with 6 recreation centers until the last one was finished."
Currently, the plan calls for closing the current Kempsville Rec Center in November or December of 2014, with demolition slated between January and April of 2015.
The City of Virginia Beach is currently hosting a Virtual Town Hall to solicit feedback on the new Kempsville Rec Center. To participate, click here.
To learn more about the plans for a new Kempsville Rec Center, click here.
