Monroe County opens new $3.1 million recreation gym Saturday

County leaders say the new facility will allow more games and reduce long tournament days.

MONROE COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Monroe County is opening a new gym Saturday morning.

The $3.1 million project was paid for using a 2020 bond dedicated to new buildings.

The 18,000-square-foot building includes two full courts, expanded concession space and new offices for recreation staff.

“The hopes are that we are able to get more games in in a shorter period of time and open up more practice spaces for our teams,” Monroe County Commissioner Lamarcus Davis said. ” In the past, we only had the one gym down there, and we used to have to cram eight or nine games in on a Saturday, and you may get here at nine in the morning but wouldn’t leave until six or seven in the evening.”

A ribbon cutting is set for 9 a.m. with basketball games tipping off at 10.