2 weeks Ago
Aiken's Smith-Hazel Recreation Center will reopen soon. The center should be open within a month, Aiken City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh said Aug. 28.
The center and adjacent park are located in the block surrounded by Kershaw Street, Hampton Avenue, Sumter Street and Abbeville Avenue . It opened in 1963 and is named after two residents, Josie Hazel and Jason Smith, who worked to get a pool for the city's Black children in the 1950s. A chicken plant was to be built on a property north of Aiken.
Instead, a subdivision will be built there. There may have been a few superficial upgrades to the center but the building has remained largely untouched. And the center's restrooms were not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the center's basketball floor hasn't been changed in 40 years.
The city closed the center in December to make upgrades. Aiken City Councilwoman Gail Diggs said she recently toured the renovated facility. People have tried to break into the Hotel Aiken three times in August.
Here's what we know. The center is located in District 1. Diggs represents the district on the Aiken City Council.
"I just wanted to let y'all know, y'all will not be disappointed," she said at the Aug. 26 Aiken City Council meeting. "The upgrades on that building, it is beautiful.
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Week 2 Prep Football Preview Capsules How Aiken’s recovery community helps each other through addiction journey Diggs said she liked the upgraded meeting space and the lobby and noted that the the acoustics in the gym will be much better. Public could learn about Hotel Aiken offers soon, city manager says "For the first time I think since Smith-Hazel opened, you really have nice bathrooms," she said. "The ones that's closest to the gym, they made it a little bit safer.
You won't have the door so somebody can go and hide." The center also has a workout and exercise room, Bedenbaugh said. "I've decided I'm going to cancel my membership that I don't use and I won't have any excuse that's too close to my house," Diggs said.
Diggs also asked the city staff to look at disguising a power box on a wall in the facility. "That's not a bad thought," Bedenbaugh said. The city will soon start upgrades to the park.
Those upgrades include two basketball courts, two tennis courts, a walking track and shelter, and new playground equipment. These upgrades will include the removal of 68 trees which should begin soon..
