Why is the lodge at MLK Jr. Park being torn down?

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The lodge at Grand Rapids’ Martin Luther King Jr. Park will soon be replaced by a new lodge twice its size.

Crews started tearing down the existing lodge around 11:15 a.m. Wednesday.

Later this spring, construction is expected to begin on a $19.7 million project that features a 25,000-square foot lodge with a gym, classrooms, offices and a fitness room.

“Kind of a unique feature is they will have roll-up doors that will connect directly to the outdoor pool. So we imagine those to be very valuable spaces,” said David Marquardt, the director of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation. “There will be a community room that will host … a little over 200 individuals at any given time, so there will be a really great space for people to host neighborhood celebrations, neighborhood gatherings.”

What millions in renovations will mean for Grand Rapids’ MLK Park

On top of the new lodge, the project includes a new pool house, a new playground on the park’s southeast corner and a new fitness loop on the southwest side of the park, the city says. Crews will also expand the parking lot and relocate the community garden.

Leaders say the construction won’t impact the outdoor pool season.

According to the city, the money comes from a variety of sources: Grand Rapids’ Capital Fund and Third Ward Equity Fund, a dedicated parks millage, American Rescue Plan Act funding and a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Longtime resident Ellen Atkins watched as crews began tearing down the building.

“It is bittersweet. I’m happy that we’re going to have a new building, but there are so many memories in this one,” Atkins said. “I raised my children in this park. My grandchildren played here, so I will miss those memories. I’m glad I had them and I’m looking forward to making new memories. This entire community is thrilled that this building is coming down and we’re getting a new one.”

Atkins is also a member of the neighborhood association that worked closely with city on the plans for the project. She says the investment in the park and the southeast side will have a lasting impact.

“The neighborhood has been kind of ignored because some of the things that go on here but there’s so much good that happens here in this park as well,” Atkins said. “Families are here all the time. People bring their children. They love being here and to see the city embrace us finally and put up a new structure.”

The city hopes to open the new buildings in June or July of next year.

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