Columbia city officials unveil proposed $6-million improvement at Philips park

A proposed $5.8 million improvement project at south Columbia’s sports fieldhouse in A. Perry Philips park will be voted on in April by the city council. The measure was first-read this week.

Under the five-page proposed ordinance, 44,000 square feet would be added to the sports fieldhouse, including four hardwood courts, a multipurpose room and seating area, walkways, additional parking lots and improved lighting.

The project has three funding sources: the 2021 park sales tax, the CVB tourism development fund and Columbia’s general fund.

The busy Columbia Sports Fieldhouse in Perry Philips park near Highway 63 and Grindstone hosted basketball games and practices for 120 local teams and 1,200 kids in 2022 and has also hosted competitions for numerous other sports. They include volleyball, pickleball, wrestling, dance and cheer.

If the council approves the project, Columbia Parks and Recreation officials expect it to be done by the fall of 2024, weather permitting.