A 28-month shutdown of the city’s recreation center will come to an end. A reopening date has been set for this month.

McMinnville Civic Center, as it was called two years ago, shut down on Feb. 18, 2019 and moved the majority of its activities to Three Star Mail. Milner Recreation Center, as it is now called after a name change in August 2020, will open in less than two weeks.

“Monday, June 21 we will be open for business,” said McMinnville Parks and Recreation Department director Scott McCord. “A grand opening will be scheduled for later.”

Opening June 21 will be the wellness center, basketball courts, indoor tennis courts and more. Hours are scheduled for 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday thru Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

McCord made the announcement Thursday, ending a 28-month saga of project delays for various reasons and 80 change orders which added features to the revamped facility at the request of city officials. The change orders also corrected errors that, according to city officials, were made by the construction company and/ or the city’s architect. 

The massive renovation and expansion project was $9.2 million in actual construction costs. Officials approved borrowing up to $10 million, with the additional money to cover architectural fees, permits, and other expenses. Final numbers have yet to be released.

McMinnville Civic Center first opened in 1975. It was designed to be the cornerstone of Parks and Recreation services in the city. This renovation and expansion project was the first major renovation in the building’s history.