The parks division of the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority is expecting to be out of its West Third Street base by the end of the year.

Crews with Multi-Craft Construction Services LLC are remodeling the former American Legion Post building at 170 North Ave. as the new parks maintenance facility.

Parks Supervisor Todd Wofford said a walk-through inspection is scheduled for the second week in December.

“They’re painting and finishing up the wiring right now,” he said.

Plans are to start moving in after the Dec. 13 NAIA Championship match at Barron Stadium. The parks division handles upkeep and repairs at all the indoor and outdoor recreation properties, so the shift involves relocating tools, supplies and heavy equipment in addition to administrative items.

“That’s going to take a couple of weeks but, hopefully, we’ll be in our new office by the first of the year,” Wofford said.

The parks division is the last remaining occupant of a 4.4-acre tract along the Oostanaula River that the city of Rome acquired to spark redevelopment and control its quality.

David Doss of Samson Development is working with Duke Hospitality on a proposal to build a multi-story, full-service hotel on half the land. Condos and retail space would come as Phase II. He has a Jan. 2 deadline to close the deal with the city.

The RFPRA moved its headquarters from the West Third Street building to the former Marine Armory on Shorter Avenue in 2011.

The 2006 special purpose, local option sales tax package contained $1.6 million to remodel the armory, which also serves as a gymnastics center. The city also tapped the earmark to help pay for the parks maintenance facility.

But at least another $7,000 will be needed to buy security cameras, RFPRA board members learned last week.

Executive Director Richard Garland said cameras would be moved from the West Third facility but more are needed “to properly cover” the 1.25-acre tract on North Avenue.