Orange County commissioners to discuss plans for Rogers Road Community Center

The Orange County Board of Commissioners will discuss the future of the long-awaited Rogers Road Community Center at its meeting tonight.

The board will meet to review and comment on the architectural design of the center, which was approved in January.

The new community center will replace one that was closed in August after failing to meet fire and safety standards.

Commissioner Earl McKee said the board’s discussion will focus on the appearance of the new center and its construction timeline.

Patric LeBeau, the project representative for Perkins Will architects, said the new community center will have a simple and functional design.

The 4,000 square foot building will include four classrooms, an office staff room, a large kitchen and a computer lab.

The space will be bisected by a middle corridor with high glass ceilings that will hold solar thermal panels.

There will also be an exterior porch that will double as one of the four classrooms.

But LeBeau said the design plans are still forming.

“We’re in a schematic phase right now,” he said.

McKee said he is going to push to advance the plans.

“Our board has already expressed a desire to see this community center go forward regardless,” he said.

“I’m certainly going to push to make this a reality.”

Commissioners Renee Price and Barry Jacobs agreed.

“I think it’s a great thing. I think it’s fabulous,” Price said.

“I am so happy for that community because they’ve been marginalized for so long — far too long.”

David Caldwell Jr., director of the Rogers-Eubanks Neighborhood Association, said he hopes the construction timeline stays on track.

“We have planned to make it happen,” Jacobs said.

“And I think, at least on our board, we’re ready to move forward.”

McKee said he thinks the building, and its design, will benefit the community.

He said the new center will allow the Rogers-Eubanks Neighborhood Association to continue offering community programs like computer and English classes.

“I think it’ll be a great addition for the community,” McKee said.

Caldwell said the association wanted to use the best design while staying within budget.

“I think it’s very efficient,” he said.

Caldwell added that the new center will give community members access to resources they otherwise would not have.

And he said Rogers Road residents are also happy with the design.

A community meeting was held recently to show residents the building designs and gather feedback.

At the meeting, community members chose paint colors and other aesthetic elements of the incoming center.

“They’re very excited about it,” Caldwell said.

“It’s not often that you get to participate and be a part of something like that that’s coming into your community.”

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