By Michael Butler

Things are about to start happening at the Tallassee Recreation Center. The current building will soon be torn down to make way for a new facility.

“It’s coming fast,” said Tallassee Parks and Recreation Director Eric Phillips.

Phillips has the final drafts of the architectural plans for the new building that will double the size of the converted National Guard Armory that the department has used for the past five decades.

“On April 8, the plans will be put out for bid,” he said. “A pre-bid conference will be at the rec center on April 23. The architects and engineers will be there.”

One of the last functions at the center will be a “Pickle the Bricks Down” pickleball tournament on the weekend of April 18 and 19.

April 24 will be the last day in the recreation center.

Some of the programs that take place at the Gilmer Avenue location will be relocated to the former Bonner’s Medical Supply building just a short trip down the street.

“It’s a pretty big showroom. On one side we’ll have all the weights. We’ll have some dividers for Jamelle (Jelks) to do his (exercise) classes.”

The bid will be awarded on May 7 at City Hall.

“The county commission will execute it on May 11,” Phillips added. “It takes 21 days to execute the whole contract. On June 1, they come in and knock everything down.”

Phillips said once construction begins, there is a 428-day projection to have a finished product with an additional 28 days for the final punch list.

“You’re looking at the end of September 2027. It’s 15-16 months.”

The new gymnasium will expand from one basketball court to two full-size courts.

“They’re multi-purpose,” said Phillips. “You can have two basketball games at one time. We also have cross-courts for the youth. We can do two volleyball and six pickleball courts at one time.

“There will be a walking track around the (courts). We’ll have an outdoor walking track. There will be two cardio rooms. We’ll have another meeting room with a kitchenette.”

There will 139 new parking spots as well.

“The majority of it will be in the back. That’s going to help on Friday nights.”

Phillips said he is ready.

“This town deserves it. As it gets moving, the more excited I get.”