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The Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center will soon look quite different, as Polk County and the City of Winter Haven entered into a subrecipient agreement that provides Winter Haven with $863,974, courtesy of a Community Development Block Grant, to design and complete redevelopment of the center. CDBG grants provide federal dollars to states, cities, and counties to develop urban communities by providing housing and a suitable living environment, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. “This grant will allow the City of Winter Haven to turn the Recreation and Cultural Center into a facility the city’s residents will be proud of,” said George Lindsey, Chairman of Polk County’s Board of County Commissioners. “Winter Haven’s northeast community deserves a modern place to enjoy sports, after-school activities and community events. When the redevelopment is complete, this will be a wonderful new recreational home for Winter Haven’s residents.” The existing center will be demolished, and new amenities will be constructed. The new center will contain a double gymnasium, a fitness center, community/activities area, a library/technology area, a business area and a kitchen. Exterior amenities will include a swimming pool, splash pad, playground, outdoor sports court, pavilions, landscaping and open space. The CDBG grant will focus on design, permitting and engineering that will emphasize modernization and accessibility enhancements. The project’s total budget is $14.3 million. Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2024, and the estimated completion date is February 2025. “These are dollars that will be well spent,” Lindsey said. “The new Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center will have a positive impact on an entire community.”
The Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center will soon look quite different, as Polk County and the City of Winter Haven entered into a subrecipient agreement that provides Winter Haven with $863,974, courtesy of a Community Development Block Grant, to design and complete redevelopment of the center.
CDBG grants provide federal dollars to states, cities, and counties to develop urban communities by providing housing and a suitable living environment, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.
“This grant will allow the City of Winter Haven to turn the Recreation and Cultural Center into a facility the city’s residents will be proud of,” said George Lindsey, Chairman of Polk County’s Board of County Commissioners. “Winter Haven’s northeast community deserves a modern place to enjoy sports, after-school activities and community events. When the redevelopment is complete, this will be a wonderful new recreational home for Winter Haven’s residents.”
The existing center will be demolished, and new amenities will be constructed. The new center will contain a double gymnasium, a fitness center, community/activities area, a library/technology area, a business area and a kitchen. Exterior amenities will include a swimming pool, splash pad, playground, outdoor sports court, pavilions, landscaping and open space.
The CDBG grant will focus on design, permitting and engineering that will emphasize modernization and accessibility enhancements. The project’s total budget is $14.3 million. Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2024, and the estimated completion date is February 2025.
“These are dollars that will be well spent,” Lindsey said. “The new Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center will have a positive impact on an entire community.”