ETHOS Design Group recently completed their full assessment of the McCreary Community Building in Perry, kicking off what should be a busy couple years at the facility.

Perry Parks and Recreation Director John Anderson says the City was very pleased with the work done by ETHOS, and adds that everyone is excited to start work on modernizing the 36-year-old building. “We’re really happy that we finally have this assessment complete. We have a plan, you know, it’s a big deal. I could go in there and (say), ‘Oh yeah, this needs that,’ and work on that. But to have a full building assessment and to actually have a full plan to revitalize that rec center is money well spent as far as I’m concerned.”

Phase one of the assessment includes fixing many of the issues with the building’s infrastructure, including the boilers, chillers, and water heaters. It also includes remaking the theater space into a workout room and remodeling the lobby. Anderson says the City received an estimate of $7 million for phase one, but he plans on doing much of the work in house in order to reduce that price tag considerably. Phase two includes building a new outdoor aquatic center adjacent to the McCreary Center, as well as creating family locker rooms. Finally, phase three will be the construction of a new gym, which will allow for more free play in addition to the multitude of programs that utilize the gym space.

Anderson says phase one should be done before 2020 is over, with much of the infrastructure work being completed in the next 365 days. To learn more about the McCreary Center Assessment, listen to the two-part Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program with Anderson at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.