Daphne To Convert Medical Center To Recreation, Senior Facility

Daphne is preparing a $26-million project to convert the former Thomas Medical Center into a new recreation and senior facility, AL.com reports. The Daphne City Council recently approved a $900,000 contract with PCDA Architecture of Mobile to design an indoor venue for volleyball and basketball clubs, wrestling, pickleball and other recreational programs. The city’s senior center will also move into a larger space within the building, which will include an indoor walking track. Most of the project will be funded through a bond issue. A key piece of the financing is $8 million in Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) money, with the remaining construction costs likely to be covered through a 20‑year bond. Design and engineering are expected to take a year, with construction beginning in late 2027. The renovated facility is projected to open in 2029.