Muskogee Community Center Named For Civil Rights Leader Near Completion

Muskogee is celebrating the achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the completion of its new community center named after the civil rights leader.

After Monday's parade, people got a chance to tour the new $4.5 million building, which will host after school programs and athletic events.

The building is almost finished, and it's a big change from the older one next door. Community members couldn't believe their dream would become a reality.

"His works brought people together, that was his dream, and to see his dream become a reality in 2016 is...I knew it was needed,” said Derrick Reed with the MLK Center. “We wanted a building, but we never thought we would be blessed to get something this size."

Community members broke ground on the new building a year ago with help from local grants and capital improvement funds.

Teacher Mary Toles Brice said, "There's a lot of people who said it would never happen, but thank God it happened - and we're going forward and we're hoping that we can sustain it with more programs to help our community."

Brice offers an after school special ed. Class and can't wait to move to the new space.

"I'm determined to get these children where they need to be," she said.

On top of extra classroom space, the center will host a variety of community events.

Visitor Diann Diggs said, "It's fantastic. Finally. Compared to the old building there's no comparison to the new one, space-wise, what they're going to do with the new one it's awesome."

The new center hopes to be open and fully operational by April 1.