PENN LAIRD, Va. – The Rockingham County Board of Supervisors has voted to honor its contract and continue with the construction of a brand-new recreation center at Rockingham Park.

During Wednesday night’s meeting, supervisors were met by a room packed with taxpayers, most of whom – including athletes and coaches from various schools – spoke in favor of keeping the Crossroads Field House alive.

Earlier this month, Supervisor Leila Longcore proposed halting construction on the center citing pushback from residents – but last night, she joined three others in voting to carry on. The motion carried 4-1, with Chairman Dewey Ritchie casting the lone ‘nay’ vote.

Longcore told WSVA that moving forward with the build serves “the best interest of the public to help as many people as possible.”

Some residents had complained that the 13-and-a-half-millon-dollar facility was a waste of resources; however, the building is being funded entirely through a county tax on tourism and lodging.

It would have cost the county $7 million to break the contract with Lantz Construction.