Monroe Center Nearing Completion

Construction nearing completion on Overton County’s new Monroe Community Center.

Overton County Executive Steven Barlow said he hoped to have the project completed before Christmas but delays will push that back. Barlow said so far the project has come along great.

“A couple of weeks ago we kind of picked out countertops and cabinets and all that stuff,” Barlow said. “So they got it dried in and up but just now putting the finishing touches on it. And we are really excited about getting our community center up and going.”

Barlow said the new building will be slightly bigger than the previous one and will also contain an up-to-date kitchen. Barlow said he believes the facility will be something the community would embrace.

“It’s a nice facility and it’s going to be very nice for the community,” Barlow said. “We really wanted to make it really look good and for something that all the citizens around could be proud of to call theirs.”

Barlow said the Monroe Senior Center was part of the community center before it was torn down to be rebuilt. Barlow said he looks forward to offering that back to senior citizens.

“We are really excited to be able to get people back together,” Barlow said. “That’s the most important thing as a lot of people don’t get to see people anymore, especially your older ones.”

Barlow said the community center will also display historical artifacts like an old Monroe School cheer uniform to represent the community’s history. Barlow said community members came forward with special historic pieces unique to the community, which will be displayed in cases being installed.