CONCORD – The City of Concord is renovating the sixty-year-old
Logan Multi-Purpose Center to improve its functionality as a recreation center, to enhance the current experience of users, and to preserve the building’s status as a community recreation center for the future. The renovations are possible through $300,000 of local funding (City of Concord) for the interior and $200,000 of
EECBG stimulus funds for the exterior.
Drastic improvements to the interior begin with a new front desk and office near the front door, which will improve supervision and enhance participant safety. In addition, the renovated portions of the building will have upgraded HVAC systems. All of the walls, old fixtures and plumbing have been removed in the old showers, freeing up the space to be used both for new restrooms, each with a shower, plus an additional room for the Center.
Complete renovations are underway in the wing of the building that housed the Multi-Purpose Room and Arts and Crafts Room; the permanent wall between these rooms has been removed, creating a much-needed larger space with a capacity of 150. Moveable partition walls are being installed to allow the space to be used as three separate rooms. This means the Logan Multi Purpose Center will have up to five activity rooms compared to the original two.
Also included are enhancements to the spaced used by the
Cabarrus County Department of Aging’s Lunch Plus Program. Requests for a better kitchen were the motivation for the expansion of that space. The availability of storage for events and for the Lunch Plus program has always been limited so this is also being expanded. Lunch Plus Program representatives were advised of these renovations well in advance and made plans to provide lunches off site until renovations are complete. The larger facilities will actually allow Lunch Plus to expand their services in the Logan community if needed.
A major part of the project has involved demolishing much of the interior including load-bearing walls. The building structure was supported during this work by extensive temporary shoring. New steel framework was designed, built and installed, allowing for a much more open interior.
The exterior is being updated as well with a focus to improve energy efficiency. All of the existing windows and doors will be replaced with energy-efficient glass. This will allow the City to update the look of the exterior of the building, including a new color scheme. One of the major improvements will be an automatic accordion (bi-fold) door at the main entrance. This will make it much easier for seniors to enter and exit the building.
“We appreciate the community pardoning our dust while we work to improve this important facility for the next generation,” said Parks and Recreation Director Bob Dowless. “We expect work to be completed by the end of March, and the enhanced facility will more effectively meet the growing needs of the community.”
Center Supervisor Rodney Smith added that he and his staff are looking forward to the interior improvements that will offer improved customer service. “We will have better service, visibility, and safety for our customers,” said Smith. “This is a true enhancement to both our offerings and the possibilities for the community.”
The Logan Multi-Purpose center offers several of the City’s signature recreation programs. Some of the highly-popular offerings to the community at the facility include Southwest Karate Academy, treat night, cross-court basketball, health-related programs in cooperation with Cabarrus Health Alliance (such as Diabetes prevention and management), billiards tournaments, adult day trips, youth basketball (regular season and tournaments), and the Vibe Tennis Program.
