Local

Residents welcome relocation of Holden Heights Community Center

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Holden Heights Community Center can no longer stay where it's been for the last 20 years. The expansion of Interstate 4 is forcing the center to move from its facility on LB McLeod Road.

Channel 9's Racquel Asa learned that the community is welcoming the change.

The sound of the interstate has always been a part of the Holden Heights Community Center because the roadway runs right by the center's back yard. But the expansion of the interstate will take the property the center sits on.

A letter sent by the state to the center said organizers need to find a new location by June 2014.

John Smith said started coming to the center when the building first opened.

Smith said he welcomes the move because gatherings at the center are getting too crowded.

"We have to turn people away that want to become a part of the organization because it's just that great," said Smith.

chain-link fence and overgrown grass occupy the county property where a new $4.5 million community center will be built.

Preliminary drawings show it will be six times the size of the current facility.

The state paid the county $900,000 for the land by I-4, the rest of the money for the center's relocation will come from grants and taxpayers.

"The building will be there for community purposes and more community events," said Claudette Grubbs, with the Holden Heights Community Center.

Smith said even though the building will soon be gone, it won't be forgotten.

"The memories will always be here," said Smith.