Gymnasium to be converted into senior center | Collierville Independent

A new senior facility is expected to open next May on College Street.

The Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a professional services agreement Monday night for design work related to the College Street Recreation Center.

The 54-year-old Collierville gymnasium will be undergoing renovations and eventually become a facility for seniors.

Board members voted unanimously to execute a $34,750 professional services agreement with WALKERarch for design work.

Built in 1961, the wooden “aircraft hangar style” gymnasium was acquired from Shelby County Schools in 2011. It became apparent that two areas of the 18,750-square-foot building needed attention; the gas fired steam boiler system and the flat rooftop.

Converting the boiler system will cost $132,000. The roof work is estimated to cost around $76,000.

The interior renovation portion of the project will include the removal of showers and locker rooms, and specific portions of the concrete block walls, which will open the building up for improved flow.

New restrooms and a warming kitchen will be built for hosting social events. New air conditioning units and a fire sprinkler system will also be installed. Collierville has previously used WALKERarch for design and construction administrative services on the renovation of the Morton Museum of Collierville History and the Collierville Historic High School, now the Collierville Schools Central Office.

The pre-construction phase of the project will take around 187 days.