Civic Center To Be Renamed Milner Recreational Center

Tuesday night the McMinnville Board of Mayor and Alderman voted to rename the McMinnville Civic Center the Milner Recreational Center. The building will be named in honor of Doug Milner, the owner of the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company of McMinnville, and his family. The Milner have been active supporters in the community for many years, sponsoring events, ball teams, scoreboard at the football field and scoreboards at many elementary gyms, where they maintain and provide maintenance. Mayor Ben Newman told the board that Milner was shocked to learn about the honor and he couldn’t hink of anyone better that has given so much to the community.
While the bard was unanimous in their support of naming the Civic Center after Milner, they were split on the name. Alderman Everett Brock suggested it should be named Milner Family Rec Center. Mayor Newman said by just having Milner it honors the whole family. Alderman Steve Harvey said he preferred the Milner Civic Center because people have called it that for many years and it hosts more than just sports. Over the years the Civic Center has hosted many events including home shows and the annual Arts and Craft Fair. Harvey quoted Websters Dictionary’s definition of Civic Center as a public place for sports events, concerts and much more. Harvey made a motion for Milner Civic Center, which Brock amended to once rename it Milner Recreational Center. The vote was 4-3 with Mayor Newman breaking the tie. Aldermen Kate Alsbrook, Everett brock and Rachel Kirby voted yes while Alderman Steve Harvey, Mike Neal and Ryle Chastain voted no, preferring civic center.
In other business, Parks and Recreation Director Scott McCord released some Gilley Pool stats and numbers. The weekends continued to be the big draw while 200 visited the pool on August 5. With school back in session, the Ggilley Pool is open only on Saturdays thru Sept. 5 from 10am-5pm. Originally Sept. 5 had the hours 12noon-5pm but Rachel Kirby announced this year’s Triathlon has been cancelled due to the coronavirus, prompting officials to go with 10-5. Labor Day Sept. 7 will be the last day for the pool. The hours will also be 10am-5pm.
Also the board passed on first reading an ordinance to rezone property at 209 Mountain St. from R-2 Medium Density Residential to C-2 General Commercial. Manager Ronald Lewis of Mt. View Cemetery and Monument told the board that he is wanting to separate the monument business from the cemetery, which required the zoning change. Second and final reading will come at the Aug. 25 meeting.
The board also passed unanimously to accept the low bid from Tinsley Asphalt to install concrete paving and markings on the front parking lot of the civic center in the amount of 172,770 dollars. Also the board passed on first reading an ordinance to adopt the budget and tax rate for fiscal year 2020-2021. The vote was 6-1 with Mile Neal against.