Photo by Erica Techo.
chelsea comm. center
The Chelsea Community Center includes a gym with six basketball goals and anchors for a volleyball net.
The Chelsea Community Center is set to open its doors to the public this fall.
Its original opening was planned for the summer, but setbacks delayed that by several months. The $4 million project includes a senior center, warming kitchen, workout room, gymnasium, walking track, activity room and meeting rooms.
Mayor Earl Niven said he is proud of how far the project has come, and he hopes the community enjoys using the center. The center is set to open to the public in November, and the official grand opening will be in December. While the gym is finished and the exercise equipment has moved in, Niven said the opening is contingent on a working emergency phone line.
“We can’t open the building until we have an active telephone line in the elevator,” he said.
In the gymnasium, which includes six basketball goals, 300-seat bleachers and anchors for a volleyball net, Niven said he hopes to see community activities such as 3-on-3 tournaments, adult sporting events and other events.
“I think the track and the gym will be heavily used,” Niven said.
The community center will be open for 12 hours a day, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Niven said those times may be adjusted based on community use. There will also be two people working at the community center at all times.
The community center employees will be there to help with check-in and to provide instructions on equipment use. The city started accepting applications for the positions in September, and Niven said he has received interest from several people.
A large room is set aside as the senior center, where seniors can play cards or participate in arts and craft activities. This area can seat around 100 people for a meal and includes four dividers to separate the space for different events. Niven said they also plan to rent out the room for birthday parties, receptions or team banquets.
Commissioner Robbie Hayes, who represents Chelsea on the Shelby County Commission, said he is looking forward to when the doors open and community members can use the center.
“I’m very excited,” Hayes said. “I believe it’s going to be a wonderful asset for the community.”
Hayes said the commission has been pleased with what the city has done and that they have been able to help by providing $25,000 for the senior center portion of the building.
A meeting room is also available for rent, and Niven said that area can be used to fit whoever requests the space.
A room in the front of the building, formerly designated as a nursery, will now be used for vending machines and possibly a pool table, which was donated to the city.
Niven is in his last year as mayor, and he said he is glad to see the community center completed.
“I have always tried to do what’s best for Chelsea,” Niven said, “Not what’s best for Earl Niven.”
