Conway is getting more captivating by the minute now that construction of the highly anticipated Conway Community Center has begun.
The new 133,000-square-foot facility comes equipped with indoor and outdoor athletic and leisure amenities that literally anyone can enjoy.
Mayor Bart Castleberry said the center will “truly be a place for all,” and he isn’t wrong. This place comes with everything you can think of – volleyball, pickleball, racquetball, and badminton courts, and a massive eight-lane competition swimming pool.
Sounds like the perfect place to let off some steam in a competitive space with your friends – Fraternity boys will likely attempt to take over at least once. You’ve been warned.
Aside from the athletic facilities, there will also be a cafe and lounge area for those who value their relaxation and find pleasure in buying $8 coffee, something most college students will appreciate.
Speaking of relaxation, name something more relaxing than a lazy river, which will also be a part of the new community center.
Set to be complete in the summer of 2025, the only possible complaint about this extravagant town addition is why can’t it be done sooner? Wishful thinking.
Nothing good comes free, though. The center will cost a little over $30 million after everything is said and done.
That’s a pretty enormous chunk of change. While there are other things around town deserving of those funds, little to none of them will bring as much gratification to community members as the new center will, especially college students and teenagers.
According to Mayor Bart Castleberry, the city apparently got a great deal for the price per square foot and it allowed them to accomplish everything they wanted to in regards to activities and facilities being included. Even after COVID-19 staggeringly raised material prices, city officials fought the good fight and are bringing us a stellar gift in time for the summer of 2025.
Seriously, other than catching a movie, checking out the overpriced boutiques downtown or perusing through one of the seemingly hundreds of antique shops around town, there isn’t much else to do around here.
The project was originally brought up to the public in 2021 and was finally voted on and approved during a special meeting held by the Conway City Council board in February of last year.
Ground finally broke at the center’s future location at a ceremony Sept. 26 and it’s projected to be completed by summer 2025, but who knows if it will actually be done by then.
It makes the center more worthwhile knowing that community members were able to vote on the proposed venture. Of the public who voted, 81% were in favor of the new facility, which is well above half and shows how much the community desires a refreshing new hangout spot — equipped for people and families of all ages to enjoy themselves.
It’s taken quite some time for the ball to start rolling with this project, but good things come to those who wait. Before we know it, the community center will be here and everyone in town and from surrounding areas can come and enjoy what Conway has to offer.
Incoming UCA students and current freshmen are fortunate that when this project is done they’ll have a great new hangout spot to meet up with friends and peers, and maybe even find a new study spot in a unique and lively environment.