Oxford is on its way to having a new activity center building after the Oxford Park Commission board approved the schematic design package Thursday that will be built next to the existing Oxford Activity Center.

Architects from Pryor & Morrow with Innovative Construction presented the plans Thursday that included a base bid model, as well as two alternates.

The next step is to present the proposals to the Oxford Board of Aldermen at the meeting on March 7 for their consideration.

OPC has $8.5 million to work with — $7.5 million from the city and $1 million from the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors.

Based on the drawings and renderings, the new center will include a 1,585-square-foot fitness room, office space, as well as storage space for those using the gym.

A lounge that would include pool tables and other games to create a social atmosphere is also part of the base proposal. Alternate A  includes a walking track that would be constructed on the second floor above the proposed courts that can host basketball, volleyball and pickleball games on it.

The walking track could also be used as a viewing gallery when games are in session.

“When we did a community survey a couple years back, the two top things people said they wanted in a new activity center was a pool and a walking track,” said OPC Director Seth Gaines.

The plans did not include an indoor pool, which would cost several more million dollars to construct.

Basketball courts could be configured so that several different youth games to be played at one time.

There will be curtains installed and hung in order for all the layouts to be accomplished.

Alternate B includes enclosing the pavilion area to house the various gymnastics programs offered each year.

Gaines said the project won’t be bid out until around July.“There’s still a lot of planning to be done before we’re ready to go out to bid on the project,” Gaines said. “But we’re one step closer.”

Gaines said he’s confident there are enough funds to cover the base bid and Alternate A.

“We’re hoping the bids come back to where were can build it with the Alternate B as well,” he said.

John Davis, with the Oxford Park Commission, contributed to this report.