HUNTSVILLE – A cold wind chilled onlookers Thursday as the ribbon was cut for the reopening of the John Hunt Park Raymond W. Jones Community Center, which targets seniors and specializes in Parkinson’s care.
As the strong breeze straightened the large American flag on the pole out front, the city celebrated the latest in an ongoing string of openings and new beginnings. This time, administrators and residents came together to christen the refurbished building that once housed the National Guard Armory.
“It’s been a lot of hard work,” Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said. “We took a 1959 building and turned it into a public amenity that our community could be proud of.
“It’s a legacy building named after World War II veteran and civic leader Raymond W. Jones.”
Battle doffed his cap to the leaders of city departments and their staffs who were involved in the project – City Administrator John Hamilton, James Gossett of Parks & Recreation, Brian Walker of Landscape Management and Ricky Wilkinson of General Services. He also lauded the City Council, who were represented by Councilmen Bill Kling and David Little.
“This is part of our re-imagining of John Hunt Park,” Battle said. “Now, no one calls this the old airport anymore. It is now John Hunt Park.”
The facility also houses offices for Parks & Recreation and special events coordinators. Previously, staff were scattered around the city.
“This will be the center of information for reservations and space to get lights turned on to get ’em turned off to get access to different things,” Gossett said. “So, we’re excited about having our key staff and our key leaders in one location.”
Having a central location will benefit both city staff residents.
“Before, there’s no telling where you wound up no matter what number you were calling,” Gossett said. “Well now you’ll have one number, one location and you can come and talk to somebody face to face here. We’re excited about what it means for our staff and certainly maybe we’re more excited about having marketing support that we can address some of the needs in the senior community.”
Following the ceremony, the crowd moved inside where the heaters were. R&B and funk heavyweights Kool & the Gang’s “Get Down on It” set the mood as members demonstrated activities. There was urban polling, power moving and others including the center’s “main event,” the Rock Steady Boxing class.
It was Rock Steady Boxing, a senior non-contact program designed to help people with Parkinson’s disease, that was in need of a permanent home and serves as the heartbeat for the community center’s activity area.
“This is a remarkable day for the Parkinson’s community and for Parkinson’s Dynamics,” said Carolyn Rhodes, president of Rock Steady Parkinson’s Dynamics. “We are finally in our very own home after eight years. So we’re really excited about that.”
Jones’ great nephew, Raymond Jones, and other members from the well-known local family farm and engineering firm, joined in the celebration.
“We’re just so honored that the city has thought well enough to rename this facility after my great uncle,” the younger Jones said. “Huntsville’s been such a blessing to our family and we’re just privileged to be here and glad it can be put to such good use for all those that need it.”
Funding for the project largely came through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) program, with the city providing the remaining funds through its capital budget.
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