Groundbreaking to be held for new community center in Jackson

A groundbreaking ceremony has been scheduled for the Jackson Community Center and FEMA Safe Room project.

The ceremony is open to the public and will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 15 at the project site, 381 E. Deerwood Drive.

The land was donated by the Clark family, who will attend the events. Representatives of the Southeast Missouri Medical Center Inc., the organization that donated funding for the facility's construction, will attend, along with representatives from the architectural firm, building contractor, city officials and the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce.

Designed by Incite Design Studio Architects of Kansas City, Missouri, the project includes construction of a 23,300-square-foot, one-story community center with these features:

* FEMA safe room/gymnasium, featuring 1,990-person capacity, a full-size basketball court, volleyball courts, two cross-court basketball courts, walking track, storage room, utility room and toilets;

* banquet hall/meeting rooms;

* catering kitchen;

* pre-function/community space with display areas;

* community meeting/conference room;

* coffee bar/concessions;

* mixed use/common area;

* office space;

* reception counter;

* public restrooms.

Operation of the facility will be funded by a quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2012. The city also received a $3,361,685 FEMA grant, which requires a 25 percent local match.

The $5,677,100 project was awarded Sept. 22 by the board of aldermen to Brockmiller Construction, Inc., of Farmington, Missouri. The work is expected to be finished within 12 months.

For more information about the project, call City Administrator Jim Roach at 243-3568, ext. 2011. For more information about the ceremony, call Mayor Barbara Lohr at 243-3568, ext. 2013.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

381 E. Deerwood Drive, Jackson, Mo.