A New Community Center

Rocksprings’ community leaders say their neighborhood needs an upgrade, and Athens-Clarke County is willing to grant it.

ACC Leisure Services and the ACC Commission support the proposed Rocksprings Park, the neighborhood’s commissioner, George Maxwell, said in an October phone interview.

The park will be located behind the Athens Housing Authority between Henderson Extension and Columbus Avenue, Maxwell said.

The commissioner said proposals for the park include a new community center, outdoor basketball court, a small picnic area and a renovation of the swimming pool.

“This is what the community is looking for,” Maxwell said.

Jacqueline Elder, Leisure Services employee and director of the current Rocksprings Community Center expressed excitement about the new park in an interview.

“We get to do a lot in this center, but it’s small,” she said. “A new facility would be a fantastic help for what we’re trying to accomplish here with programming.”

Elder plans computer classes, an after school program, teen movie nights and a trivia competitions for students. For seniors, she organizes trips, game days, cooking classes and other activities, she said in an interview. For more information about the current community center, please see our story “Community Life.”

Though bids for the center have not gone out yet, Maxwell said he expects construction to begin at the start of 2009.

By Kristen Coulter