Lakeland approves issuing bonds for new YMCA
A rendering depicts the Lakeland Community Center that will occupy the former Econo Lodge property just north of the Interstate 40-Canada Road interchange. (Courtesy City of Lakeland)
The Lakeland Board of Commissioners on Thursday, Oct. 17, approved an initial issuance of $22 million in general obligation bonds for construction of the Lakeland Community Center.
The new community center will bring a new recreation facility— operated by the YMCA — to Lakeland.
Earlier this month, Lakeland along with the YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South, announced an agreement to build the new facility over the next couple of years. The site for the community center will occupy the former Econo Lodge property within the Lakeland Gateway redevelopment area just north of the Interstate 40-Canada Road interchange.
“This amenity not only replaces a crime-ridden hotel and has had immediate impact on lowering crime, but it will also be a great community center for Lakeland to be proud of,” Mayor Josh Roman said after the meeting. He added that it would provide child care for those working at places like BlueOval, the Ford plant planned about 20 miles northeast.
Topics
City of Lakeland YMCA Lakeland Mayor Josh Roman Commissioner Connie McCarter bond issue Subscriber Only Lakeland YMCAThank you for supporting local journalism.
Subscribers to The Daily Memphian help fund our not-for-profit newsroom of nearly 40 local journalists plus more than 20 freelancers, all of whom work around the clock to cover the issues impacting our community. Subscriptions - and donations - also help fund our community access programs which provide free access to K-12 schools, community organizations, and more. Thank you for making our work possible.
Michael Waddell
Michael Waddell is a native Memphian with more than 20 years of professional writing and editorial experience, working most recently with The Daily News and High Ground News.
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.