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After a few years planning for a recreation center for Nicholasville and Jessamine County, Nicholasville-Jessamine County Parks and Recreation announced details of the joint city-county project through frequently asked questions (FAQ) on its website. 

According to this FAQ, the project is estimated to cost between $18 and $22 million and will accommodate a variety of fitness activities, including basketball, volleyball, archery, pickleball, and walking groups. Gymnasiums, aquatics including a lap pool and children’s entertainment pool and community event rooms are all included in the design for recreation center. Its facilities will be open year-round. 

Due to the price tag of the project, the recreation center at John Preece Park will be developed in phases. Phase 1 will focus on the gymnasiums, walking track, and community rooms. Phase 2 will bring aquatics to the recreation center. 

Funding for this project will be made up of ARPA allocations from the City of Nicholasville and the Jessamine County Fiscal Court (JCFC) and the general funds of the city of Nicholasville and the JCFC. Originally, community contributions from local businesses were seen as a potential, but efforts to gain corporate contributions have been unsuccessful so far. 

The recreation center received its first funding in 2021 when the city put aside $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which were dispersed to local and state governments in response to the negative impacts of COVID-19.

The original location for the center was behind the new turf field at John Preece Park. However, a new location was required when a 2024 engineering evaluation revealed this parcel to be a protected wetland. 

A different parcel of 110 acres of land connecting the newly constructed bypass to John Preece Drive was purchased by the Jessamine County Fiscal Court (JCFC) using $3.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The purchase was finalized in late 2024, and in early 2025, an engineering firm was involved along with a request for proposal process for a construction manager. Park and Recreation’s FAQ on the project lists the reasoning for the John Preece Park location as proximity to the turf field, central location, accessibility for pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles through the bypass, and possibilites for grant funding.

According to Deputy Judge Executive Justin Ray, the groundbreaking for the site will likely happen in April or May and phase 1 is an 18-24 month long project.

Nicholasville-Jessamine County Parks and Recreation will post updates on social media and its website throughout the construction of the facility.