Macon-Bibb County and the Recreation Department will hold a Dedication Ceremony for the Delores A. Brooks Community Center (3326 Ocmulgee East Boulevard) at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 10. The event will be live-streamed on the Delores A. Brooks Community Center Facebook page. You can visit that page here. 

Situated in District 3 in East Macon-Bibb, Commissioner Elaine Lucas is proud to recognize one of her personal heroes.

“Delores was a very fine public servant, serving more than 20 years after being the first Black woman elected to Macon City Council,” says Commissioner Lucas. “She was a mentor for many of us who at that time were young, newly-elected public officials. The renaming of this center in her honor is a fitting tribute to one who gave so very much to this community, especially the East side.”  

“Our mission is “Building Healthy Communities through People, Parks, and Programs,” says Recreation Director Robert Walker. “We offer positive recreational programs that improve the quality of life for everyone. Since it’s the home base for our Adaptive Recreation Program, this Center absolutely brings that mission to life.”

This phase of improvements includes: a new entrance for the building to mirror the new entrances created at other centers; better handicap accessibility; new restrooms; renovation of the entire interior to make the space more usable; new concessions stand and bathrooms at the baseball fields; widening the drive into the facility; and more. This work is being funded by approximately $1.2 million from the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).

In the first phase of improvements, the Center received new sidewalks, a new t-ball field, a rebuilt concession stands, new fencing, and upgrades to the storm drainage system and the scoring boxes. This phase cost $300,000 and was also paid for with voter-approved SPLOST funds. That phase was completed in April 2016, and you can see a feature video about it here.

A Master Plan for Delores A. Brooks Community Center was created after three public meetings were held to determine what the community wanted at this site. Community meetings were also held to develop master plans and identify needed improvements at Carolyn Crayton Park, Frank Johnson Community Center, Freedom Park, Memorial Gymnasium, Rosa Jackson Community Center, and South Bibb Recreation Center.