Old National Guard Armory in Marion under renovation

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

A renovation project underway in Perry County — looks to transform the old National Guard Armory in Marion — into a multi-purpose community center.

Congresswoman Terri Sewell secured a half million dollars grant to help fund the four-phase project.

Crews are gutting the interior and making repairs at the old abandoned National Guard Armory in Marion.

“Fixing the areas that has been you know compromised by weather,” said contractor Quincy Martin.

It’s part of a long-awaited renovation project — over ten years in the making.

“Phase one is to take care of the interior of the facility. Phase two will be taking care of the AC, the electrical heat and air,” said Commission Chairman Albert Turner, Jr.

“We’ll have two phases of the four phases completed before March 19th. We’ll go with phase 3 after the May 19th election.”

Turner says the facility will include a multi-purpose room — a rec room — an exercise room — kitchen and meeting space — bathrooms — and eventually a public pool.

“We don’t have a public swimming pool anywhere in Perry County. So we’re going to eventually put the public swimming pool here at this location. So that the children in the community will have a public swimming pool.”

Turner says when completed the new Barnett-King Community Center — will serve as a much-needed centrally located hub for the entire community.

“We’re going to work with the city of Marion to make sure that functions they may have will be held here. So, this is a joint thing for our residents in the city of Marion as well as the county of Perry.”

Turner says the grant will pay for 3 of the 4 phases of the project. He says another federal grant to finish up the project — is already coming down the pike.