Designing the future at Huntsville’s “Central Park,” new recreation center comes into focus
Published on May 24, 2023
Plans are moving forward for the new 53,000-square-foot John Hunt Park Recreation Center. The new facility will be located north of Joe W. Davis Stadium on about 8.5 acres.
A highlight for many will be 16 outdoor, lighted pickleball courts. The courts include a pavilion and will be designed for competitive play, including tournaments.
“Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country, and we’ve certainly seen that reflected in Huntsville,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “The new John Hunt Park Recreation Center is an excellent opportunity to provide additional courts in a centralized location.”
Inside the center at 3035 Leeman Ferry Road, four full-size gymnasiums will offer practice and competition space for basketball, volleyball, and futsal. A concession area and restrooms will link the gyms to the main building, which will include a fitness room, two multi-purpose activity rooms, office space, and more.
“John Hunt Park is an incredible asset,” said Huntsville Parks and Recreation Director James Gossett. “It makes sense to have a recreation center be part of this growing area. This design gives us the ability to offer citizens more programs, more fitness options, and more athletic space.”
The cost of the architectural contract with William M. Boehme & Associates is $801,978.50. The firm presented renderings of the project to the Huntsville Planning Commission for approval in May. The project is expected to be completed next year.