Final construction phase of Sandra Moon Community Complex nearing completion
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The work is continuing in the final construction phase of the Sandra Moon Community Complex and the ribbon cutting is only weeks away.
The site of the former Grissom High School at 7901 Bailey Cove Rd. already includes the South Huntsville Public Library and outdoor athletic venues and will soon provide a new home for Arts Huntsville and expanded recreational spaces on the south end of the campus.
“This last phase opens up a lot of the recreational spaces inside the building but also a very large arts center,” City Administrator John Hamilton said.
The school’s auditorium is being refurbished to provide an attractive venue for community plays, concerts and other activities. Part of the auditorium project is the construction of a lobby area that didn’t exist when it was part of the school.
The auditorium will have a capacity for about 600 people and is being modernized with improved audio and visual capabilities.
“When you have a crowd that’s coming and going for these types of events, you need to have ample lobby space that will also include concessions and a place for people to gather before and after the event,” Hamilton said. “It’s a complete re-do of the lobby space, including improvements to accessibility for those who may have mobility challenges.”
An event center that can accommodate about 300 people is being created in the former school’s lunchroom area.
“Parks & Recreation is very excited about this space and the uses that can take place in the event center,” Director James Gossett said. “Birthday parties, training events, wedding receptions or other activities can take place here. The event center will also have a catering kitchen designed to help foster events.”
A covered rain garden is part of the entrance to the new recreational area. A highlight is the new home of the City’s adaptive recreation space.
“Some of the neat amenities here will be a sensory room and a changing room that is suited for individuals with disabilities,” Gossett said. “This will be a space for our City of Huntsville employees to program specifically for the needs of our special needs community.”
The school’s former auxiliary gym has been renovated with new flooring and paint schemes. And the main gym has also been refreshed and can host basketball, volleyball and pickleball.
The school’s former gym locker room has been converted into a multimedia area, providing opportunities for e-gaming and a space for music and video production. And there will be a fitness center and an indoor walking path.
“We look forward to having this space open to our community in the very near future,” Gossett said.
