Local News
Renovations at the Fieldale Recreation Center continue after a $1.5 million grant is denied

Henry County, Virginia – The small town’s focal point, the Fieldale Recreation Center, is being revitalized after decades of existence.
Fieldale Heritage Inc. Board President John Garland stated, “It’s more than just a building and it means a lot to the community.”
For more than half a century, the Fieldale Recreation Center has been a mainstay in Henry County.
Recently, the Board of Directors of Fieldale Heritage, Inc. overwhelmingly rejected a $1.5 million grant that would have funded the center’s restoration.
Grant requirements that did not make financial sense for the project’s objectives were the reason for the decision.
As part of the project, the community center will be rented out to companies and groups. If they were to accept the grant, they would need to hire property managers in order to lease the building on a weekly basis. In order to save money over time, they are preparing for annual rentals that do not require managers.
“After the building is in operation, it really came down to sustainability to be able to have income meet expenses,” Garland continued.
The planned $2 million restoration project will proceed, but private contributors will now provide the funding.
“A building that is lifeless doesn’t contribute to the sense of community. Every day, I watch people entering and leaving that building, and throughout the summer, I see people entering and leaving this pool facility. That is necessary to maintain a community’s vitality, Garland stated.
In addition, the Board is converting the tennis courts into pickleball courts and remodeling the pools from the 1950s. It will be Henry County’s only public pool when it opens.
“Where will those kids go if these pools are gone?” was my main worry. In what location will they be able to swim throughout the summer? We are attempting to revive it with that as our primary goal,” Garland said.
On May 23, the public will be able to access the Fieldale pools. For donations, the Board has created a GoFundMe page.
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