A $3.5 million reinvestment into a core facility in Garland's Parks and Recreation system was celebrated Friday, Nov. 15, as officials and guests cut the ribbon on the refurbished Granger Recreation Center.
The gym's storefront glass, wood courts and scoreboards have been replaced; its bathrooms, air conditioning and internet connections upgraded. The center at 1310 W. Avenue F has reopened to residents after two years of construction.
Granger was Garland's first recreation center, built in 1961 as a cornerstone feature to Central Park. The city started its Parks and Recreation system in 1948, when it purchased the 50 acres that became Central Park. It has been the training ground for star athletes and performers and was home to countywide tornado relief efforts in late 2015.
Gayla Kirk, daughter of center namesake and former City Council Member Fred Granger, said the family is honored and excited at the prospects of Garland residents enjoying the facility for another 60 years.
"Over the years, this facility has served this community well," City Manager Bryan Bradford said. "One of the things that makes Garland cool is while we have embraced the future, we also honor its past."