Eleven golden shovels filled with topsoil kicked off construction of the new Downtown Activity Center on Friday morning.
“This facility begins to really create an identity for Bentonville Parks and Recreation,” said David Wright, director of parks and recreation, as he welcomed around 80 people who stopped by 215 S.W. A St. for the ceremony.
The 8,200-square-foot center will house the department and will provide a place for the community to exercise, gather and host events, Wright said. A $1.5 million bid for construction of the activity center was awarded to Flintco during the Oct. 12 City Council meeting.
Joe Leake of Bentonville attended Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony. He said he was pleased to know the facility will be complete within the year.
“It’s going to be fantastic,” he said.
Leake moved to Bentonville from Bella Vista two weeks ago and said he was planning to use the Rogers Activity Center because Bentonville does not have one.
Leake said he will only use the Rogers Activity Center until Bentonville’s is complete.
Construction on the center will begin Nov. 1 and should last around a year, Wright said.
“Hopefully by Halloween next year, this thing is up and running,” Wright said.
Councilwoman Mary Baggett said she is thrilled about the project.
“People will pass by here and become more aware of our parks,” Baggett said. “They’ll come in, and they’ll see there is something for everyone.”
Leake agreed. He lives next to Memorial Park.
“We love going out to Memorial Park. We call it our lake,” Leake said. “We love to see how much is going on out there.”
Mayor Bob McCaslin thanked voters for making the project possible.
“This is only possible because of a 2007 bond issue put before the voters,” McCaslin said.
The 2007 bond issue gave $15 million to the Parks and Recreation Department for developing new parks and activity centers in the city.