Work crews are finally on the move at Shelby Park and Easley Community Centers, where gym roofs that sidelined neighborhood hoops and rec leagues are now getting shored up and repaired. The two gyms, closed earlier this year for safety checks, have officially shifted from “under inspection” to “under construction,” although both spaces remain off-limits while the fixes play out.
Metro Parks confirmed that contractors are on site and that previously scheduled programs have been pushed to other community centers while the work is underway, Nashville Banner reported. Metro Councilmember Clay Capp told residents the repairs should be handled within existing funds and should not need any extra cash from a new supplemental appropriation, according to the Banner.
How The Problem Surfaced
The current shutdowns trace back to last year’s West Park gym roof collapse, a failure that set off alarm bells about aging glulam beams in several 1960s-era Metro facilities. In May 2025, the West Park roof came down and destroyed the building, which triggered regular follow-up inspections across similar sites. Engineers later found delaminating and cracking in beams at Shelby and Easley, a risk serious enough that Metro closed both gyms in February. WSMV chronicled the West Park collapse and the wave of inspections that followed.
What Metro Parks Is Doing
Metro Parks officials have stressed that only the gym areas at Shelby and Easley are closed, not the entire centers. Staff are working their way through the logistical headache of relocating after-school programming and recreation activities while contractors stabilize and repair the problem roofs.
In February the department announced that the gyms were being closed “at the recommendation of structural engineers” and made clear that there are no firm reopening dates yet on the calendar. Metro Parks shared operating details along with contact information for families who need help figuring out where their programs have landed.
Programs And Community Impact
After-school classes, youth sports and casual gym time have all been relocated to nearby centers, which means parents, coaches and program leaders are juggling new routes and updated practice times while contractors climb around overhead. Parks Director Monique Odom told the Board of Parks and Recreation that the department is coordinating the gym repairs and weighing timetables at the same time the city is still working through winter storm recovery.
A summary of that board discussion, including details on storm damage, staffing shortfalls and facility closures heading into the spring season, is available from Citizen Portal.
Funding And Next Steps
Councilmember Capp’s message that no supplemental appropriation should be needed suggests Metro Parks will lean on already budgeted capital or maintenance funds to pay for the repairs. Officials have not yet released a detailed cost estimate for the work.
The department says inspections will continue at other older centers that relied on similar construction techniques, and Metro plans to issue updates as contractors complete shoring and roof repairs. As the Nashville Banner noted, crews are working now while city leaders weigh what to do with a broader portfolio of aging facilities.
Where To Get Updates
Families, coaches and program organizers can keep up with shifting schedules and temporary locations by checking Metro Parks’ website or calling 311 for current info on closures and relocations. The department posts notices online and can be reached through its contact page at Metro Parks.
