The new Jewish Community Center on Fury's Ferry Road has fitness and social facilities to serve the community.TODD BENNETT/STAFF

New center opens with summer camp

Web posted July 18, 1998

By Virginia Norton
Staff Writer

Summer camp is on at the new $2 million Jewish Community Center at Fury's Ferry and Three J roads in Columbia County.

On Monday about 35 campers will become the first to try the new pool, lounges, basketball and tennis courts and other facilities.

"Normally we would run (camp) all summer long, but we couldn't this year," said Mike Pousman, executive director of the Augusta Jewish Federation and the center. His offices will also be at the center.Construction was delayed by winter rains, said Jackie Cohen, vice president for planning on the board of directors for the center. "It was very frustrating. Once we got the roof up, we were good to go."

The center has been a dream for 10 years, she said.

The new building, situated on about 19 acres, has about 14,600 square feet. There is a large lobby and a community hall big enough for 300 people. It can be subdivided into smaller rooms, said Ms. Cohen.There is a lounge for teens that can be combined with a game room.

There are also locker rooms with showers, an exercise room, arts and crafts room, nursery, senior room, snack bar and a large kitchen."It was built to be very, very flexible and to accommodate different activities," said Ms. Cohen.

The ribbon cutting will be Aug. 16 and the dedication in February.

There are still openings at the camp, which is available to children age 3 to 12. It costs about $100 per child per week, said Mr. Pousman. For more information, call 736-1818.