Chelsea community center, sports complex gain new property

Its concrete walls were finished in October, and Wanninger said the 29,000-square-foot building’s trusses were next on the list.

The Chelsea City Council is already looking at future expansion possibilities for the community center and the sports complex by Chelsea High School. At its Oct. 7 meeting, the council approved $390,000 for the purchase of several properties neighboring both sites.

In October, the city purchased two properties, totaling about 3.75 acres, and a right-of-way next to the sports complex on Highway 47. In July 2015, when the community center opens, Chelsea will buy a 5.68-acre property that could become a second entrance to the center, but plans have not yet been made for anything specific.

The final purchase will be made in March 2016 and will consist of 26 acres of land behind the sports complex for future use.

When finished, the community center will include a gymnasium, walking track, meeting rooms, nursery, senior center and exercise facilities. The sports complex currently includes several baseball fields and tennis courts, with plans to create soccer and football fields in the future.