City Makes Way for New Decatur Rec

The is getting ready for its face lift.

Built in the mid-1950s, the rec center will undergo a $5.7 million renovation and starting Monday, the move begins to the temporary location at Beacon Hill by the Decatur Police Station.

"We will experience a temporary outage in our phone and internet services of approximately one hour during the transfer on Monday morning," said Cheryl Burnette, in an email release.

She reports that all camps, sports registration, etc.,  will be at the new site, located at 430 W. Trinity Place, beginning in the afternoon on May 23.

However, all after-school programming, exercise and regular rec center activities will continue at Sycamore Street location through Friday, May 27. After that,  the Sycamore Street location will be closed and regular programming begins at Beacon Hill, the email said.

Summer camps begin on Tuesday, May 31 at the temporary Beacon Hill Location.

Greg White, Decatur's active living director, said the old facility is going to be completely redone.

“It's more than just working on the gymnasium," he said. "Were making a walking track in the facility, there’s going to be an expanded lobby and more classroom space."

They're also adding a kitchen and better access to the park in the back.

The community garden also will be closed during the construction, which is expected to be completed in August 2012.