The City of Savannah and the Cuyler-Brownville neighborhood held a rededication and ribbon cutting ceremony for the Tompkins Regional Center’s addition and renovations.

The Tompkins Center was first dedicated in 1961. Recent improvements include a 7300 square foot addition to the existing gymnasium. The addition is ADA accessible and includes a multi-purpose room with kitchen, lobby, fitness/weight room, computer lab, art room, game room, locker rooms, rest rooms, HVAC, office space, and storage space.

Renovations included interior painting of the gym, new basketball backboards, exterior landscaping, irrigation system, exterior lighting, parking lot restriping, and sidewalks. The pool is also now equipped with a handicap pool lift.

“Tompkins is the City’s oldest community center and the renovation and additions were needed as the City addresses quality of life issues for youth development, health and fitness and improved daily living,” said Parks and Recreation Services Director Barry Baker.

The improvements cost approximately $3 million and renovations began in March 2016. It was funded by the City’s SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) and was championed by the Cuyler-Brownville Neighborhood Association and District 1 Alderman Van Johnson. “You deserve this,” Johnson said to the crowd gathered for the ribbon cutting. “This is an example that partnerships work and that SPLOST works.”

Hundreds of children from the neighborhood will be able to use the facility for afterschool activities, summer camps and weekend activities. Community members will be able to use the facility for neighborhood events and much more.

City Manager Rob Hernandez called the project a “rebirth”. “Because of the tenacity of this neighborhood we were able to bring this facility into the modern age,” he said.