Participants in programs run by the Bryan County Recreation Department now have more "space to play," after officials on Thursday officially opened the county's latest athletic facility -- a sparkling 19,000 square foot gym in DeVaul Henderson Park near McAllister Elementary. 

The project, which began in the fall of 2021 and was paid for by Special Local Option Sale Tax funds, includes two more turf fields and additional parking. Initially estimated to cost in excess of $10 million, the final pricetag was slightly less than $7.5 million, officials said. 

Both Bryan County Commission Chairman Carter Infinger and Parks and Recreation Director Dave Smith said the new facility will help the county meet the increasing demand for recreation facilities.

Bryan County is the fastest growing county in Georgia, according to the 2020 Census, and ranks sixth in the U.S., and officials say plans by Hyundai to ultimately bring 8,100 jobs to Black Creek and Hyundai Mobis to add another 1,500 jobs in Richmond Hill are likely to spur even more growth in the area. 

"This is another great facility for Bryan County's citizens," Infinger said. "Through Parks and Recreation services, kids learn about sportsmanship and teamwork, which are important life skills. We want to provide the highest quality facilities and programs for this integral service. We are preparing for the growth coming to Bryan County in all aspects of our services, whether it is in Parks and Recreation or Roads and Water."

Infinger said the Hendrix Park gym destroyed April 5 in the tornado that tore through North Bryan is expected to be rebuilt within two years. 

Smith noted the county doesn't have to advertise for participants in its programs, adding that there are more than 600 participants playing basketball in the recreation department. He said the gym is a "much needed addition to Bryan County's facility roster ... while we are always looking to grow our programs, space to play is often one of the limiting factors. These new facilities add a lot of new space for athletics and recreation facilities."

The new gym, designed by Goodwin Mills Cawood and built by Pope Construction, includes a meeting room, concessions and more. The gym is expected to host more than basketball games, and could see use as an events venue as well. 

Bryan County's population has doubled since 2000, from 23,474 to more than 46,938 in 2021, according to the Census Bureau. Officials expect more new residents to come as a result of Hyundai Metaplant America's plan to invest $5.45 billion in building a state of the art EV manufacturing facility in Black Creek --  the largest single economic development project in the state's history -- and the $900 million investment in Richmond Hill, where Hyundai Mobis will build the electric motors for the vehicles.

The Black Creek facility is expected to begin operations at some point in 2025. The facility in Richmond Hill could open as early as 2024, according to recent announcements.

At a Wednesday breakfast hosted by the Savannah Economic Development Authority, SEDA President Tripp Tollison said Hyundai's selection of Bryan County is going to change not only Bryan County, but the region. 

"The regional and generational change from the announcement will transform our area as we know it today," he said.