The Amenity Authority Committee on Wednesday chose a theme for a new recreation center and tried to dispel rumors about the construction of homes at the recently purchased property.
Recreation Director John Rohan recommended that the theme of the recreation center honor first responders. His recommendation was unanimously approved by the AAC.
The recreation center will be constructed at the former home of the First Baptist Church of The Villages, located in the Marion County section of The Villages.
AAC member Carl Bell suggested a room or something at the recreation center be named in honor of the late Rich Lambrecht, who served on the AAC.
The purchase of the acreage has spurred rumors that homes will be built there, said AAC member Lowell Barker.
“People keep asking me, ‘How many houses are going to be put on that 20 acres?’” Barker said. “People have that perception.”
AAC Chair Ann Forrester said the committee needs to dispel those rumors.
“We deal in recreation. We are not in the business of building homes,” she said.
Forrester said a workshop will be held in April to discuss the new recreation center.
