New $7M recreational facility in Lufkin closer to construction

LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) - A Lufkin business owner is looking to add to the list of things to do in the city. Plans for a new recreational facility are nearing start of construction as the owner is waiting for the go-ahead to break ground.

"It's actually Rec N Relax, as much as you want to do."

It will be known as Rec N Relax. Business owner Ty Shafer settled on 2810 Moffett Rd. to construct the 20,000 square-foot building.

It will be neighboring Flamingo Bingo and the Military Veteran Peer Network.

"What I hear is that - we want to stuff with our families we don't want to be by ourselves. We want to have it as a family get together," Michele Conner the veteran peer network coordinator said.

Conner said not only will it give veterans an extra place to enjoy, but it could also lead to them receiving more grants to offer more services to veterans.

"The more we are involved in our areas, the more that the federal government and the state will see that we have a veteran population and that we are doing for our veterans to provide more services," Conner said.

Shafer said the Rec N Relax will provide 30 jobs and bring in more revenue for the city. He said it could also lead to people supporting surrounding businesses.

"They might want to go downtown after they come to our place. Lufkin is a growing place and people love to come here, and I just want to give back," Shafer said.

While planning took about a year and a half, he has had the idea for many years.

"Somebody asked me if I had been to the new gas station it was like an exciting thing to go a new gas station here in town. I was like, wow, we really need more to do. We have a lot to do, don't get me wrong. But I wanted a place you could do it all at once," Shafer said.

Shafer explains Rec-n-Relax as a one stop shop for food and activities. There will be games like mini golf, and simulators for soccer and baseball. He said a lot of thought went into it.

"Actually, going to other cities and seeing how they do a certain attraction of this and a certain attraction of that and comparing them, like what would work and what wouldn't work for our area," Shafer said.

The cost will start around $7 million, however, he has plans to add on later. They will be located right off the highway near loop 287. He thought it would be easy to see and accessible at that location.

"It really is to say 'wow we have this, and we don't have to leave,' we can keep people here who want to have fun without traveling. It was also very strategic in, is this the place to do it and yes, it is.

For the building to be allowed at the location he has picked out, Lufkin City Council has to finalize a zoning change. He hopes to break ground in November. with plans for construction to last 10 months to a year.