CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C.-- New Bern Parks and Recreation officials are weighing their options for the future of the Stanley White Recreation Center.

• The historic building suffered 18 to 26 inches of flooding during Hurricane Florence
• The facility is named after a New Bern native and veteran who dedicated his life to parks and recreation
• Moving forward, city officials are hiring contractors and engineers to help determine the most cost effective way to rehabilitate the building

The historic building suffered 18 to 26 inches of flooding during Hurricane Florence according to Foster Hughes, New Bern Parks and Recreation Director.

The facility is named after a New Bern native and veteran who dedicated his life to parks and recreation as the city’s athletic director.

White died at the age of 42 while participating in a baseball game.

Moving forward, city officials are hiring contractors and engineers to help determine the most cost effective way to rehabilitate the building.

“We know it’s very important to the community and we want to get that building opened as quickly as possible and continue to offer programs to the community,” says Hughes.

Hughes says they may elevate it to prevent future flooding at its 901 Chapman St. location, or replace it.

In the meantime residents are using the West New Bern Recreation Center. Hughes says the city will host events and programs at Henderson Park, adjacent to the Stanley White Recreation center.