Baltimore County Breaks Ground for Jacksonville Recreation and Senior Center

Phoenix, Md. (October 2, 2009—Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith and County officials formally broke ground, beginning construction on the Jacksonville Recreation and Senior Center located at 3605 Sweet Air Road in Phoenix.

The facility will house the new Jacksonville Senior Center, serving over 700 seniors and a Recreation and Parks gymnasium and activity area. The grounds will accommodate two athletic fields and a playground.

"In addition to the facilities already mentioned, the 31-acre Sweet Air Park will include a very special playground," said Smith. "The playground will be dedicated to the memory of Ben Huxtable, a young boy who tragically died over four years ago after being hit in the chest by a baseball." Smith thanked Heather Thamer, Gina Vitrano, Melissa Whatley and everyone at Our Children's Playground for their hard work and dedication to raising funds for this project. Christine Huxtable was present at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Features

Special features for each section of the structure include:

Senior Center

• 5,400 sq. ft. (total)
• Exercise studio
• A game room, classroom, craft rooms, and staff offices
• Multipurpose room for dance, fitness, and special events

Recreation Center

• 9,000 sq. ft. (total)
• 6,000 sq. ft. gymnasium
• Activity and meeting rooms, offices and storage

Sweet Air Park

• Two athletic fields 
• Playground 
• Walking trail surrounding the park

Cost of the complex's design and construction is $4,455,979. The total structure size is 14,400 sq. ft. on 31.9 acres. Expected opening date is August 2010.