Work on a new recreation center in Daphne took a big step forward recently.

On Monday, April 6, Daphne City Council authorized Mayor Robin LeJeune to utilize a GoMESA grant agreement to be used toward turning the old Thomas Medical Center into a new recreation center.

The site that was once the Thomas Medical Center, located near the entrance of Bayfront Park in Daphne, will be renovated and transformed as part of a $27 million project. The renovations will include facilities for sports such as basketball and pickleball and walking tracks and space for offices, senior center rooms and concession areas, along with a repaved parking lot.

Daphne was awarded $4 million in Gulf of Mexico Energy and Security Act (GoMESA) funds. The grant was first announced by Gov. Kay Ivey in September of last year.

Mayor Robin LeJeune told GCM a new recreation center will help elevate local recreational opportunities within the community.

"We currently have zero indoor sports recreation for our recreational basketball leagues," LeJeune said. "We have to use the schools and their gymnasiums. This would be a real boost to what we're able to do recreationally for our kids here in Daphne."

The allocated GoMESA funds will be used to cover $1 million in engineering and design work, while $3 million will be used for the actual renovations and parking lot rework.

The project is still in the early design phase, with city council needing to approve a contract with a design firm, but LeJeune told GCM construction could begin as early as 2027.

The project is also part of major improvements to the Bayfront Park area in Daphne utilizing previously awarded GoMESA funds. The city is currently underway on construction of a new amphitheater, partially funded by a $7.2 million GoMESA grant, with construction expected to be completed next year.