SAVANNAH, Ga. () – Carver Village neighbors have waited more than 50 years for a gym of their own, and that dream is now closer to reality after Savannah City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement Thursday with Chatham County.

The agreement gives the county three years to begin construction on city-owned land next to the Historic Carver Village Community Center.

Under the deal, the county will lease the property for $1 a year and use Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds to cover construction, operations and maintenance.

Plans call for a regulation-size basketball court, locker rooms and space for families to watch from the stands. A design committee that includes community members will help guide the project.

For Gary Crawford, who runs the Carver Village Stallions youth program, the gym will mean more than just bricks and bleachers.

“We want our kids to be better citizens as well as athletes,” Crawford said. “We’ve always stressed that student comes before athlete. With the gym, we can make more of that by having an indoor facility where we can also do homework.”

Crawford said parents and kids alike are excited about the project, and word is spreading quickly through the community.

“This is really a game changer for us,” he said.

Before construction begins, the county must complete final designs and secure city permit.