PERRY COUNTY CENTER TO OPEN APRIL 1

PERRYVILLE -- Construction of the Perry County Multipurpose Center is proceeding on schedule and should open April 1.

The $9 million dollar building will include a gymnasium, performing arts center, meeting rooms and a new home for the Perryville branch of Riverside Regional Library.

The exterior of the building is nearly complete, and interior work is under way in several areas. Construction at Perryville City Park on Kingshighway started nearly a year ago.

The nine-member Perry County Multipurpose Center Commission, a private, non-profit organization, is overseeing construction.

Glen Graham, the commission's chairman, is pleased with how the building is taking shape.

"It's going to be fantastic," Graham said. "I'm very excited about it."

Barring any major disasters over the next four months, Graham said the project will be completed within budget.

The project is funded by a countywide half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1996.

"The spirit that the people of Perry County have shown to do something like this says a lot about the community," Graham said. "This is something they can be proud of."

Three-eighths of a cent will go to retire the construction debt. That portion of the tax will then be eliminated. The remaining one-eighth of a cent will go for operating and maintaining the center.

The city of Perryville will run the center and be responsible for booking special events. The commission overseeing construction will cease to exist.

In addition to the one-eighth cent county sales tax, use fees, admission revenue and concessions profits will fund operations.

If those sources do not fully cover costs, the city will make up the difference from its general fund.

City Manager Craig Lindsley, who is also on the multipurpose center commission, said that after the first of the year the city will set fees and admission costs. He said fees need to cover costs as much as possible without pricing residents out.

"I don't know if we can ever set fees where (the center) will be totally self-sustaining," Lindsley said. "The object is not to set fees so high that people can't afford to use it."

A parks and recreation director will be hired to run the center. Lindsley said the city hopes to hire one of two finalists for the position by the end of the year.

The director will help supervise the final stages of construction, purchase equipment and hire center staff.

"It will be a pretty intense job for the first six months," Lindsley said.

Much organizational work still needs to be done so the center can be ready to open on time.

The center will consist of four connected segments.

The first is a permanent enclosure around the existing city swimming pool for year-round use. An outdoor deck area will be added for summertime sunbathers.

The second segment is a multipurpose gymnasium capable of seating up to 2,000 people.

A variety of special events, including outdoors shows or small conventions, could be held there.

For everyday use, the gymnasium will include basketball, racquetball and volleyball courts and a walking track.

The third area is a 400-seat performing arts center. Plays and concerts are planned for the auditorium, which will also feature a movie screen.

Riverside Regional Library, which will more from 312 N. Jackson St., will reside in the remaining section.

"It will be a pretty comprehensive facility," Lindsley said.