County Gives Update on Columbia Avenue Project

Williamson County Parks and Recreation announced construction progress on two new facilities in Franklin, both at 112 Everbright Avenue.

Both are additions to Academy Park off Columbia Avenue.

The first is the Williamson County Enrichment Center. The second is a Performing Arts Center.

The Williamson County Enrichment Center, going up where Battle Ground Academy’s Fleming Hall once stood, will provide senior and therapeutic recreation programs, fitness and dance classes, community potlucks, special events and more. The state-of-the-art center is being built on the site of the original Battle Ground Academy campus.  Thus, the rich history of the county has been preserved, while the ever-changing needs of a growing community are still being met.

The center will also house the J.L. Clay Senior Center, which will move from their current location at 420 Bridge Street in Franklin.

“We are looking forward to it,” Susan Ille, director of operations for J.L. Clay Senior Center, said. “We are partnering with Parks and Rec.”

In addition to the Enrichment Center, Parks and Rec also will renovate the old Coverdale Hall building as a center for the arts.

The renovation- and rejuvenation- will bring the 116-year-old building, now sitting empty, to life as a theater, performing arts venue and art gallery.

The Performing Arts Center is also the future home of Williamson County Parks and Recreation’s Star Bright Players Children’s Theatre. As such, it will house a 300-seat state-of-the-art theatre space for dramatic productions, musical performances, camps and workshops.

Both buildings will be available for rental to the public for meetings, events and theatrical productions. Williamson County Parks and Recreation will manage the two new centers, expected to open in late spring 2017.

Overall, it is known as the Academy Park Project.

Pictures of construction:


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