Tolson Center preparing for a new facility

 

ELKHART, Ind -- A staple in the Elkhart community known as the Tolson Community Center, is gearing up to build a new facility.

Since being around in 1991, the Tolson Center has been in jeopardy of being shut down, due to the lack of funding.

Now 30 years later, the facility is expected to have their new $10.5 million dollar facility by 2023.

"A staple in the Elkhart community known as the Tolson Community Center, is gearing up to build a new facility," said Tolson Center board Chairman Cyneatha Millsaps.

Over the years, children have made comments that the facility could be larger, to allow more children inside, because as of now, it's not the best facility because of the lack of room inside.

"Definitely make it a little bit bigger. It’s kind of a little iffy small for like how many people want to go over there," said one attendee Kayshawna Frazier.

Recently, the finance committee of Elkhart, voted 5-1 in favor of building the new Tolson Community Center.

The $10.5 million dollars of funding consist of a $5 million investment from Elkhart, $2 million from the Elkhart community foundation, $2.5 from a Lilly grant, and $1 million from the city itself.

In addition, the center will also be staying in the same location and officials say it's for a good reason.

"Vital to the city of Elkhart to make sure it invested in south central Elkhart. The new Mayor Rod Roberson is determined that they will put investments back into south central Elkhart. And so Tolson is one of the many staples, that will help to anchor south central," said Millsaps.