Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith unveiled a billboard and plans for the Randallstown Community Center on Thursday, calling it the county?s largest and a sign of the rebirth of the community.
“In 2002, Randallstown was a community that needed some attention,” Smith said. But the addition of the police substation, Wal-Mart and The Home Depot, as well as improvements to the library, have added to a complete rehabilitation of the area.
Rubeling and Associates Inc., based in Towson, will begin construction on the 59,000-square-foot center in summer 2007. It will take 18 months to complete the $13 million project.
Center plans include a 25,000-square-foot gymnasium, swimming pool, locker room, 4,000-square-foot activity room and a computer room.
Working with the Urban Design Assistance Team, Baltimore County legislators sought to create a recreation center for all ages in the community, Smith said.
“It sets a standard of its own,” he said.
The sign along Liberty Road in Randallstown helps residents visualize the newest addition to their town.
Some residents are already anticipating the community center.
“Children don?t have enough to do after school and on the weekends,” said Pat Clark, president of the Fieldstone Community Group in Randallstown.
More than 200 recreation programs are in the community, said Tanya Williams, president of the Oakwood Community Association and vice president of Randallstown Parent-Teacher-Student Association.
“But there is nothing for children. You need somewhere for them to go to learn to do positive things. This is a wonderful thing and will really help,” she said.
“We want [everyone] to use it. It?s on time, on schedule and probably under budget,” Baltimore County Del. Adrienne Jones said. “It is way larger than the original size planned, in order to accommodate all of the requests of the community.”
