New place to play: Council approves $4.5M gym, community center

Orangeburg City Council has approved a $4.5 million bid to build a new community center/gymnasium complete with two full-sized basketball/multi-use courts.

“We are really happy to see this because our young people in this area need recreation,” Councilwoman Liz Zimmerman Keitt said Tuesday night. “It will keep down some of the weight that they have and their health will probably be better, so we’re very pleased to see this. I know the constituents will be happy.”

Councilman Charles “Buddy” Barnwell agreed, adding “If we have some citizens that object, I’d like for them to go down and look at the old gym.”

Mayor Michael Butler responded with, “Amen!”

Council unanimously approved awarding the construction bid to Charlotte-based Marand Builders during their meeting Tuesday night. Work could begin in four to six weeks, and Marand Builders estimated it will take about one year and a few weeks to complete the construction project slated for the corner of Broughton and Whaley Streets.

“This is a project city council has been planning and discussing for many years. The funding is now in place to do it,” City Administrator John Yow said.

The community center will measure 23,000 square feet and will also contain offices, multi-purpose rooms, storage areas, restrooms and a concession area.

A total of 91 parking spaces will also be created and shared with patrons of nearby Mirmow Field.

Funding for the project is mainly through Orangeburg County’s 1 percent Capital Projects Sales Tax, often referred to as the “penny tax.”

Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD.