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Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

Orlando firm to design and create new Mary Sue Rich Community Center

Mary Sue Rich

The City of Ocala has officially awarded Orlando design firm Ohlson Lavoie Corp. the contract to create and design the new Mary Sue Rich Community Center.

The project is part of the revitalization efforts in West Ocala and will carry the name of the longtime City Councilwoman who recently retired after 24 years of dedicated service to the city.

This rendering shows the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, which will be located on the old Royal Oak Charcoal Plant site.

The new 41,750-square-foot, two-story center, which will be located at the site of the old Royal Oak Charcoal Plant, will serve as the hub of the community. The facility will include designated indoor spaces for senior, youth and family programs; a 400-seat banquet/event space that can be dividable into three rooms; and a kitchen to serve seniors and children after school, in addition to catering and public cooking options.

The Mary Sue Rich Community Center is part of the revitalization efforts in West Ocala.
The 41,750-square-foot, two-story Mary Sue Rich Community Center is slated to open in fall 2021.

Health and wellness facilities include an open fitness area; indoor walking track; two multi-purpose studios with an operable partition for larger groups; a mind, body and dance studio; two full basketball courts; a gymnasium with 120-person bleachers for each court; indoor playground with connection to one of the courts that will be used for camps; senior studio and multipurpose room; and library and media center. There also are huddle rooms for tutoring and health advice.

Future plans include adding outdoor spaces, an outdoor playground, an event lawn and community garden. The expected completion date is fall 2021.

The contract with Ohlson Lavoie for architectural services is for $885,650. The company is an international firm founded in 1961 with offices in Orlando, Denver, Columbus, Tokyo and Cairo. For more information, visit www.olcdesigns.com or call (407) 992-0470.

The architectural design shows a possibility for the interior portion of the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place.