The John L. Fisher Community Center recently was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council to assist with the purchase and installation of HVAC units and tile in the kitchen and cafeteria.

The grant was awarded in partnership with State Rep. Alan Baker, State Sen. Greg Albritton, State Rep. Harry Shiver, Escambia County Commissioner Raymond Wiggins, Escambia Co. Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Supervisor and State Committee Chair Frank Nalty and Tracy Sells, representing the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI).

The renovation project is in coordination with the City of Brewton and area residents past meeting to address kitchen needs for the center, which once housed Brewton Middle School.

Both Baker and Albritton congratulated center’s board for its determination and perseverance in seeing the project complete.

“I am greatly encouraged to see how partnering together as a team on this needed project will work towards building a strong community and enhance the outreach opportunities for the community,” said Baker.

“It’s important to have functioning facilities for the residents to congregate and gather, said Albritton, “I’m especially excited to see that our children will benefit from the upgrades.”

Alline Manuel expressed gratitude on behalf of the John L. Fisher Center Executive Board and said the renovation of the kitchen and lunchroom expands the scope of activities that can take place at the Community Center.

“Even with the work partially complete, the Center was able to act as a host for the Brewton Head Start Christmas Party and the Brewton Youth Football Banquet. The children who attend Summer Fun Mondays will be able to sit down at a table in the lunchroom, instead of at a desk in a classroom. It is exciting to see the progress and the possibilities for new activities,” said Manuel.

Gulf Coast RC&D Chairman and Escambia County Commissioner Raymond Wiggins and Gulf Coast RC&D Treasurer Frank Nalty both expressed their feelings on the need to support the upgrades to the John L. Fisher Center.

“It is an honor and privilege to be able to provide funding for the much needed improvements at the John L Fisher Center,” said Wiggins, “This is a great town and a very proud community that deserves a place that will help shape and mold the future leaders of this community and beyond.”

“By making quality improvements at the John L. Fisher Center, members of the community can come together as a group to enjoy group activities, social support, and many other purposes that will enrich the lives of the people in our community,” said Nalty.