Ribbon Cutting Held For New Cave Spring Community Center
The building was constructed in 1932 and served as the Dining Hall for the Georgia School For The Deaf (GSD) until closing in 1984, but recent renovations have beautifully transformed the new Cave Spring Community Center.
On Thursday, Cave Spring held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new community center, which is located just behind City Hall in downtown Cave Spring.
“We’re really excited about the grand opening here at the community center,” said Cave Spring Mayor Rob Ware. “This is something myself and members of the council felt was important to the community.”
After cutting the ribbon at the center’s entrance, Ware invited everyone — close to 100 attendees — inside the renovated facility to enjoy food, punch and the cool, comfortable atmosphere offered by the center.
Cave Spring City Council member Nellie McCain said she was very pleased with the new community center.
“I think it’s wonderful,” she said. “It’s open for the use of senior citizens five days a week and open for rental on the weekends for receptions, reunions, celebrations and other occasions.”
The building will accommodate close to 300 people and houses Cave Spring’s first ever elevator!
The building’s renovations and restoration include original tile work on the floor and original massive wooden columns in the dining area.
“I think it’s rather elegant,” said Cave Spring Public Safety Director Randy Lacey. “Our community needed this, and I am sure it’s going to be well enjoyed.”
Ware said he is also pleased that a historic site was restored for use as a community center.
“This involved the restoration of a building in town that was part of the Georgia School For The Deaf,” he said. “It is on the Historical Registry, also.”
Ware added, “The Community Center is a place folk in town can get together. It provides the opportunity for people to come to a beautiful place while gathering to socialize, celebrate or whatever they enjoy doing in our peaceful, friendly community.”
Georgia State Representative Rick Crawford also attended Thursday’s event.
“It is a beautiful facility, and I’m glad to see it in Cave Spring,” Crawford said. “They deserve this.”
Cave Spring resident Murt Horan, who once worked in the GSD Dining Hall before it closed, said she also was impressed and pleased with the new Community Center.
“I think it’s wonderful. We’ve needed something like this for so long,” Horan said. “I also like the idea that we’re using a building that would otherwise be vacant and of little use.”
Restoration and renovations to the building which is now the new Cave Spring Community Center cost $850,000, which was funded with money from the 2006 SPLOST (special purpose, local option sales tax).
The project was included in the more than $52 million 2006 SPLOST package.
Floyd County Commissioner Eddie Lumsden said he was impressed with the restoration work and how pleased everyone appears with the center.
“I came here to help Cave Spring celebrate the grand opening of the new Community Center, which is very impressive,” he said.
He added that the historical unused building was transformed into an exceptional asset to the community and its citizens.
“Plus, this was all done with SPLOST money,” Lumsden said. “It is a wonderful example of SPLOST dollars at work.”
Cave Spring Mayor Rob Ware, left, prepares to cut the ribbon to the entrance of the new Cave Spring Community Center as Cave Spring City Council members Kenneth Kelley, center, and Ken Landers look on. Staff Photo by Dawn Treglown.
