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Ashley Biles

Associate Editor

Plans are in the works for an official dedication ceremony for the M. G. Worthy Community Center in Lincoln Park, Chris Biggs told the Board of Commissioners at their February 12 meeting. Biggs, who served as interim District One Commissioner last year, is part of the Lincoln Park Citizen Coalition (LPCC), an organization whose purpose is to find ways to improve the community.

“Last year we had a name change from the Worthy Gym to the M.G. Worthy Community Center, but we have never had a formal dedication ceremony,” said Biggs. “We have it planned for April 14, which is a Sunday, at 4 p.m. at the center. We will have several guest speakers, a choir, and family members and hopefully the elected officials can come and give us a comment or two.”

Currently there are 45 active members in the LPCC and they have come up with a list of several things they would like to do to fix up the center before the dedication noted Biggs. After going through the building, the group noticed that there was really no insulation in the gym and if the heat or air conditioning is used, they cannot be felt after about 20 minutes. Another aspect the group would like to change deals with the doors. Biggs stated presently there are two big iron double doors that serve as the entrance to the gym and they are secured by an iron bar and two locks but the group is looking into a way to replace the doors if possible.

An idea has also been brought up that a foyer could possibly be constructed at the front of the building to make events in the winter or summer more pleasant by helping to keep the warm or cool air inside. Biggs stated there is a shed with a partial cement slab at the front of the gym and the suggestion was that it could be enclosed and have another set of double doors added to make the entryway.

“We are looking at doing this in different phases because we know we cannot do it overnight,” said Biggs, “but we are hoping and praying the county can find a way to help us fund this.”

He noted there has been some discussion about the possibility of using funds from the 2005 SPLOST to help fund the project, as the center is located on the property which the county owns and was thinking of turning into a community park. The group has already established a board and a P.O. Box and is working on getting their Tax ID Number so if anyone in the community would like to make donations to the cause they can receive a tax write-off. Biggs stated that he and the rest of the LPCC will work closely with the Board of Commissioners and District One Commissioner Lorenzo Wilder throughout the duration of this project.