The Hiram City Council last week revisited its decision to convert the city Community Center into a larger police station but did not change course.

“I hope we’ll decide to replace” the Community Center, said Mayor Carmen Rollins. In the meantime, she said, residents needing a community meeting place could be referred to Che’ne Rouge, 655 West or the downstairs of R&R Oyster Bar, although that might not be an option for some.

“I don’t think [those places] would be anywhere close to our rates” at the Community Center, said the mayor. “Most would not be able to afford the facilities.”

The building of Southern Historical Society is probably not an option for large gatherings because of septic system issues, the council learned.

Councilman Charles Schafer asked if the current Community Center is large enough to consider keeping it as a community meeting place.

“Is it as large as the community could use? I don’t think so,” Rollins responded. She added that the Paulding Senior Center has raised its rental rates and that the city has requests for larger events than are currently possible.

Schafer asked if Hiram is considering building a community center of the size needed by city residents or if the city intends to build a larger center with needed countywide meeting space in mind.

“Personally, I’d prefer designing a [new] building for the Police Department” and keeping the existing Community Center, said Schafer.

Rollins said another option is to build a new community center on land the city owns in Ben Hill Strickland Sr. Memorial Park.

Schafer noted that many cities don’t attempt to keep their police departments adjacent to city halls, but Police Chief Johnny Shirley said his department and City Hall employees work well together and “it would be a big inconvenience” if the buildings weren’t together.

Shirley said he had met three times with the architect redesigning the community center for Police Department use, “and I hope by Dec. 10 we have a bid opening.” The chief said the redesign includes men’s and women’s showers, a locker room, drive-in sally port and “space for future development as we grow.”

Shirley estimated that the cost of redesigning the building for police would cost between $150,000 and $250,000.

The council again discussed expanding the city courtroom/council chambers that will accompany the police move. City Operations Manager Jody Palmer said courtroom expansion would take 30 days or less because weather wouldn’t interfere with the indoor project.

“Traffic and businesses [are growing], and we can’t expect less need for a court facility,” added the mayor.

“The Community Center has been adequate to this point,” said Rollins, adding that if another building is constructed, she would like to have a place for Hiram senior citizens to meet regularly. “I don’t want to not have a community center,” she said.

“I don’t think anyone disagrees with the need for a community center,” said Councilwoman Helena Williams.