Early in 2025, the idea for a new recreation center in Rockbridge county was proposed. This immediately sparked questions, where would it be? How would it affect the established environment around? How would it be funded?
The 12.8 million dollar idea would provide a building where basketball games, community games, and tennis courts would be available. The location would be across from the high school on the 42,000-square-foot county-owned lot, which is currently the student parking for all grades.
According to a News-Gazette interview, Granville Grant, the principal with Spectrum Design, expressed how the plans are going smoothly so far.
“There have been no concerns and no hiccups,” Grant said.
Grant also expresses the county’s willingness to collaborate.
“The biggest goal with this project was creating more recreation space for Rockbridge County Public schools: They need this greatly for their physical education program,” Grant said.
This does spark the question for students, “Where will we park?”
During the 2023-2025 renovation of the Rockbridge Innovation Center, the senior lot was moved to the gravel lot, which was previously known as the j-lot because it housed junior parking. Although the RIC construction is over, the old senior lot remains the location for student drop-off and pick-up.
The proposed rec center has around 180 spaces in the plans provided by Spectrum design.
Junior Miles Holland shares his opinion on the parking situation.
“Parking will be way more difficult due to the relocation of the parking lot, and how it will affect the traffic coming in and out of school,” said Holland.
Superintendent Philip Thompson shares in an interview with the News-Gazette will benefit all.
“[The rec center] will directly support RCPS properties by enhancing physical education, athletics, and extracurricular opportunities for students while fostering strong community partnership,” said Thompson.
The main struggle according to RARO leaders is not enough space for all sports and the hope is with this new center more sports can have space.
Athletic Director Anthony Marasco shares how the center will benefit athletes.
“It will provide more space for our athletic teams, whether that’s basketball courts, potential weight rooms, or any flex spaces,” said Marasco.
The source of finances for this $12.8 million project are still unclear, but the fate of this project will be voted on soon by both the Rockbridge County School Board and the Board of Supervisors.
