breaking news

Walmart Donates A Million to Construction of Bentonville Community Center

By: Tyler Thomason

Updated: January 28, 2013

"This is a $15.5 million-dollar project. So, every penny obviously helps," says David Wright, director of Bentonville parks and recreation department.

Thanks to Walmart more pennies are piling in.

The Bentonville-based corporation committing a million dollars to the construction of Bentonville's future community center, which is scheduled to sit on 35 acres near the intersection of Highways 12 and 112.

"We really do envision this to be a facility that's something for everybody in the community," Wright says.

The city has already saved up about $10 million, and after Walmart's generous gift, along with other donor pledges toward the price tag, Wright says they're only about $3 million short of their goal.

"This is just one of many contributions that will come forward over the next six months or so," Wright says.

Right now, the construction site just looks like a few piles of dirt, but in a matter of time it will be filled with an 80,000-square foot facility; complete with two pools, a 5,000 square-foot fitness room as well as many other amenities.

"The project is what I like to call shovel-ready," Wright says.

"Which means that we've got everything done, and we're ready for the walls of the building to start coming up."

He says the building itself will occupy about 8 of the 35 acres with the rest being filled with pavilions, walking trails and other outdoor activities.

"From a recreation standpoint, it really changes what we do as a department," Wright adds.

"So, we're really excited about what this offers."

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