Buncombe County -- August 23, 2026: Buncombe County is moving forward with plans to build its first county-operated indoor recreation center. Following approval by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, the county authorized a nearly $1.6 million design contract to draft plans for the new facility at the Buncombe County Sports Park near Sand Hill School Road and Apac Drive.
A total of $19.68 million has already been allocated toward the project to meet long-standing community recreation and operational needs.
Proposed Features and Amenities
The planned facility is slated to serve both active recreation and critical public infrastructure needs, featuring:
Volleyball and basketball courts: Dedicated indoor court space for year-round sports, leagues, and open play.
Multipurpose community space: Flexible areas designed for public meetings, group activities, and community programs.
Parks and Recreation offices: Centralized administrative and operational office space for county recreation staff.
Official polling locations: Accessible public space equipped to serve as a local voting precinct during elections.
Emergency operations hub: Infrastructure enabling the center to quickly convert into an emergency response and staging hub during regional crises.
The project will move through the design, permitting, and planning phases before construction begins at the sports park.
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