About The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 17, 2019)
LOCAL THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 - 23, 2019 • Page 7 STONECREST Browns Mill Recreation Center received extensive renovations. Photos by Carla Parker Stonecrest officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening of the renovated Browns Mill Recreation Center. Stonecrest reopens Browns Mill Recreation Center BY CARLA PARKER Carla@dekalbchamp.com Browns Mill Recreation Center is back in operation following the completion of a renovation project. Stonecrest elected officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 12 to celebrate the reopening of the renovated rec center, which is now branded with Stonecrest’s city logo. In August, Stonecrest City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with DeKalb County to transfer the operation of eight park properties in Stonecrest, including the rec center, from the county to the city. The city also announced that it had begun managing renovations at rec center. The center received a new heating and air conditioning unit and upgrades to two existing units, plumbing and sewer upgrades, roof repairs, upgrades to the fire suppressant system, installation of fire safety lights and repairs of two water fountains. The center also received new landscaping and the city’s seal was placed at the center of the basketball court. Parks and Recreation Director Sean DePalma said a lot of work went into renovating the center. “People know Browns Mill as the heart of the community, especially on this side of the city, and we came in and brought love to this heart,” he said. “We still need to put more love into it. It’s going to be a work in progress, but today is the start of it being home and the heart of this community again.” DePalma said the city partnered with The YMCA to bring after school programs back to the center. The center is also to be licensed by Georgia as a childcare and youth care facility. Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary said the city took a building that was in disarray and turned it into a jewel. “I’ve coached at Browns Mill rec center for at least 25 years. I brought my kids up through the Browns Mill system. I played here myself before I got too old and we’ve had meetings here,” he said. “I’m really moved today over watching the progress that we are making in the city of Stonecrest.” BROOKHAVEN Emory breaks ground in Executive Park BY TAYLOR ROBINS Taylor@dekalbchamp.com Emory Healthcare Oct. 4 celebrated the groundbreaking of its new Emory Musculoskeletal Institute in Brookhaven. “From the location choice to architecture design to staffing, the formation of the Emory Musculoskeletal Institute directly aligns with Emory Healthcare’s mission to serve humanity by improving health through integration of education, discovery and health care delivery,” said Emory Healthcare CEO institute Jonathan S. Lewin. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact this facility will have on our local community for generations to come.” Musculoskeletal concerns both the muscles and the bones. The construction of the 180,000-square- foot institute is scheduled to be completed in 2021. The building will be part of the Emory Sports Medicine Complex in Executive Park. According to Emory Healthcare, the will be a comprehensive, patient and family-centered facility providing orthopedics and spine care, physical therapy, imaging, ambulatory surgery, with clinical and discovery research support space. “Emory Healthcare’s musculoskeletal service line has been expanding for many years. This is reflected in our growing reach around the metro Atlanta area. The new Emory Musculoskeletal Institute will serve as our central location and house multiple centers of excellence and programs,” said Scott D. Boden, professor and chair of the department of Orthopedics in Emory University School of Medicine. “Research is also a core part of our mission, and the design of this building will encompass that from its external appearance to the structure of patient and staff flow inside.” The building is described as eco- friendly by Emory Healthcare officials. “More than 95 percent of storm water and runoff water will be contained through a system of bio-swales, retention ponds and underground storm water systems to enhance on-site water management. Strategic lighting of the facility aims to reduce light pollution and help Emory be a good neighbor to the surrounding community. Smart building technology lowers energy consumption through a network of sensors to help deliver power only where it is needed. The overall construction project seeks to divert most of its waste from local landfills, thus reducing its carbon footprint.” Exterior rendering of Emory Healthcare’s Musculoskeletal Institute. Interior rendering of Emory Healthcare’s Musculoskeletal Institute. Photos provided by Emory Healthcare.
