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Residents of Junction City are taking matters into their own hands, making the Roundabout Recreation Center a focal point of new technology and traditional recreation activities to provide a unique experience for area residents. The Kansas Department of Commerce has awarded Junction City $392,000 in KAN STEP funds. The award will be combined with volunteer labor from the community valued in excess of $270,000 to convert the Roundabout Recreation Center at 915 S. Washington St. to a state-of-the-art community center tailored to the interests of residents. According to City Manager Rod Barnes, all of the work to complete the project, except some of the technical parts of the construction, will be volunteer. “It is an exciting project,” said Barnes. “This is an excellent example of community pride and cooperation.” The new facility will focus on providing a safe, fun place for children and families of all ages with a variety of interests. Plans include a three-on-three basketball court, several private party rooms, a multimedia lab, a recording studio, a dance floor, a conference room, a lounge, a game room, a small movie theater and a new concession stand. Upgrades to the existing structure are also necessary for safety reasons and will bring the building into compliance with ADA accessibility standards. Even the miniature golf facility adjacent to the recreation center will be improved. The entire project is expected to take two years to complete. “The project was planned to capitalize on community resources and talents,” said Jonathan Mitchell, Coordinator of FORCE, Inc., a local non-profit agency and author of the grant. More than 250 community members will contribute labor to the project. The local school district, Flint Hills Job Corps, the city of Junction City and FORCE are just a few of the partnering agencies involved. “This facility will benefit everyone in the Junction City community,” Mitchell said. “It shows that a community can accomplish anything when it comes together. ” The community contribution is not limited just to labor. The miniature golf facility, signage and programming will be funded through private donor contributions, the city of Junction City and FORCE. Other in-kind contributions include use of equipment from the city of Junction City and local contractors, donation of water and waste fees during the project from the city, and grant administration from a certified administrator. A local architect donated the conceptual drawings of the facility. And although the expanded facility will result in increased operating and maintenance costs, these expenses will be funded through community contributions and the facility’s owner, FORCE, Inc. Programming for all ages is planned for the center. Existing youth programs provided through the school district, Boys and Girls Club, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers are all at capacity and have actually had to turn young people away. With the growth of Fort Riley and expected influx of troops and their families, the need for family programming is critical. Facility planners believe the new center will go a along way toward providing a safe place for recreation. According to Mitchell, “Our families and residents will no longer be able to say that there is nothing to do in Junction City.” KAN STEP is a self-help program that enables small communities to make major infrastructure improvements. Local people volunteer labor and services or "sweat equity," while the Kansas Department of Commerce provides funding for materials and technical services. An acronym for Kansas Small Towns Environment Program, KAN STEP gives small Kansas communities an opportunity to do projects they could not otherwise afford. The funding is provided through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. CONTACT: |
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