A three-phased approach was revealed Tuesday night as the Knoxville Recreation Center considers its future. The blueprints for possible future expansion were explained during a meeting at the Rec Center. The first phase of the project would feature a 4500 square foot expansion on the building’s southeast corner. That would allow for a dedicated fitness studio and would double the current cardio and weight room space. It also calls renovation of the entrance and locker room area and would cost around $1.6 million. Further proposed phases include an additional gym and changes and additions to the swimming pool area, totaling $2 million and $2.9 million apiece.
Project principal Vitus Bering says that the first part of project appears to the phase the facility and its patrons need most. By building a dedicated fitness studio, Bering explains that much of the pressure on the facility could be lifted and the gym would be open for more use. This project was just an assessment of options and does not lock the City into pursuing any of these options.