Athens Recreation Director Ben Wiley believes a new recreation center should be third or fourth on the list of must-haves in a small city.

“I think it is high up on the list when you move here,” said Wiley, who has been pushing for a new recreation center for nine years.

“You want good schools, churches, decent roads and a road that leads to a decent rec center for your kids to grow up and do something.”

The city is about to unveil the plans and cost estimates for a proposed new recreation center, which would replace the current 40-plus-year-old center.

The base plan is not just a wish list of amenities Wiley and others want; it is based on the numbers of people engaged in various recreation center sports. This year there were 500 in baseball, 300 to 400 in softball, 550 in soccer and 370 in basketball, which is a new record, Wiley said.

“That’s what we base it on,” Wiley said of participation rates. “Numbers translate into need.”

The base plan calls for multiple gymnasiums, multiple exercise rooms, a cardio/fitness room, an indoor walking track, possibly a racquetball court and a meeting/community room, Wiley said.

There are also three proposed add-ons, including:

• Six tennis courts;

• Cover for the existing outdoor pool so it can be used year-round;

• Multi-use field for Little League, flag football, soccer and any events that require a sodded green space with lights.

City Council members will have to decide if they can afford any add-ons and if so, which ones and how many. Need will play a role, as will what the people want. The best way for residents to convey what they want is to telephone or email their council members. Knowing what people want helps them make a decision.

Council to decide

Lack of gym space triggered the proposal for multiple new gyms. The current shortage of gym space makes scheduling games and practices very difficult.

“We have 370 people in basketball, and we have one gym,” Wiley said. “We work with the high school (borrowing its gym), but they have dance and basketball and JROTC.”

It also means some late practices and games, which parents don’t appreciate, he said.

“We’re trying to get away from 8 and 9 p.m. games and practices, which means kids are getting home at 10 and after on a school night,” he said. As the father and coach to two grown basketball players, one who played college ball, Wiley has lived the life. He knows what parents go through.

He hopes all three add-ons will be approved, but that decision will be left to City Council members and how much the city can afford. (The new recreation center will likely be paid for with the proceeds from a municipal bond sale.)

“We have what we want, but money rules everything,” Wiley said.

Council members have already hired an architect to draw a base recreation center and the three optional amenities. If the council agrees to pay the architect at its meeting Monday, the council will meet Dec. 4 to review the proposed plans, which are already drawn.

“Then we can roll out the plan so everyone can see,” Wiley said.

Once the council decides what can be included in the recreation center, including any add-ons, the building process will take about 13 months, he said.