Big Spring leaders consider plans for new center amid Dora Roberts demolition

BIG SPRING, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- City leaders in Big Spring are considering recommendations from a committee of community members tasked with presenting ideas on how the City should proceed with the construction of a new community center.

On July 1, 2023, officers with the Big Spring Police Department and crews with the Big Spring Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services responded to a fire at the Dora Roberts Community Center, located at 100 Whipkey Drive. At the scene, crews found the community center fully engulfed in flames; the building could not be saved.

Investigators determined the fire was a result of arson, and in February of this year, arrested two teens, ages 15 and 16, in connection with the fire. They were each charged with Arson and Criminal Mischief.

Although arrests were made, the community has been without its center for nearly a year. Now, as the demolition of the remaining portion of the building is set to begin, City leaders are working to plan for the center’s future.

An April 23, Drew Mouton, told members of the City Council that the committee spent months touring community centers in the surrounding areas to gather ideas. He said the biggest draw of the center’s location, on Whipkey Drive, is its view.

“No other community center has that beautiful lake view,” he said, while adding that incorporation more of that view in the new center’s construction could be beneficial, as more people from West Texas might be inclined to host events there, especially weddings.

To that end, Mouton and the other committee members presented several “high points” for consideration and said the overwhelming response from the community stressed the “need” for another center.

He then recommended that the Council consider building a larger center capable of hosting events for locals and others throughout the region. He said the new space should have a ballroom, large stage, a meeting room with seating for 150 people that could be divided in half to host two smaller groups at the same time, a lecture hall for educational programs or training sessions, a commercial kitchen, plenty of restrooms, state of the art audio visual equipment, a green room to host performers and brides as the get ready for big events, and ample parking.

While City leaders have not yet worked with an architect or contractor to design a new center, Mouton said these recommendations, if approved by the City, could easily be incorporated into future design plans.

Mourton did not present any information on what a new community center might cost, however, as Big Spring leaders are still in the early stages of planning and are still working with the insurance company and have not yet received all payments owed after the fire.

Still, the City is taking the necessary steps to plan for, and build, a new center what will meet the growing needs of Big Spring and the surrounding area. We will continue to provide updates on the planning process as they become available.

Demolition of the old Dora Roberts Community Center is planned to begin on May 1. Residents have been asked to stay away from the area until demolition is complete.

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