The City of LaFayette is investing in the future of its youth wrestling program with the construction of a new dedicated wrestling facility, nearly a decade after the recreation program first began.
City officials announced that the LaFayette Recreation wrestling program, which launched almost 10 years ago, will soon have a permanent home after the LaFayette City Council approved a $659,000 construction project during its June meeting.
The project will be funded with Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) dollars that were designated for recreational facilities.
The wrestling program was established to help develop young athletes before they reached the middle and high school levels, where wrestling has become an increasingly popular sport. Since its inception, the program has operated out of several locations, including a small room in the former ShopRite shopping center, the Old High School Gym and Max Stoker Gym, before returning to the old high school facility.
As participation has continued to climb, officials say the program has outgrown its current space. Last season, more than 100 wrestlers participated, representing a 25 percent increase over the previous year.
The program has also enjoyed success on the mat, producing multiple state champions across various age groups and divisions. Recreation coaches work closely with the local school system to help athletes transition into middle and high school wrestling programs.
The new wrestling facility will be constructed near the Villanow Street entrance to the city’s Pollinator Trail. In addition to providing a permanent home for the wrestling program, the building will include an outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible restroom that will also serve visitors using the trail system.
City officials said construction costs will be reduced by repurposing an existing steel frame already owned by the city and using in-house labor whenever possible. City Project Manager Clay Tracy, who most recently oversaw construction of Traverse Park, is managing the project.
Site preparation is already underway, and the facility is expected to be completed this winter.
City leaders say the new building represents a major milestone for a program that has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade and reflects the community’s continued investment in youth athletics. Officials expressed pride in the accomplishments of the wrestlers, coaches and volunteers who have helped build the program and said they look forward to seeing it continue to grow alongside LaFayette’s school wrestling programs.
