A new community center and fire hall is currently under construction in Van Buren County.
County Mayor Greg Wilson said the Mooneyham community will finally have a public gathering place to call their own.
“It’s a long time coming. [Mooneyham] is one of the last communities in our county that does not have a community center,” Wilson said. “We’re hoping to get that done and completed by Spring 2019.”
Wilson said the new facility is partially funded through grant money provided by the Tennessee State Department of Health.
“We can help the people there. It’s further convenience to exercise and maintain their health status,” Wilson said. “I think it’s going to be something that’s good community sense for the people in that area.”
Wilson said a total of $65,000 in grant funding will come from the Department of Health towards the project, with $20,000 being used for the building itself. He said the county is looking to secure additional funding for the project as well.
The project will also include a garage for a fire truck belonging to the Falls Creek Falls Volunteer Fire Department, helping reduce response time in the Mooneyham area.