Mayor Bill Haslam will host a dedication ceremony of the Dr. E.V. Davidson Community Center, 3124 Wilson Ave., on Sunday, January 16.

City staff will conduct tours of the facility and provide information about recreation, fitness and educational programs to be offered during an open house between 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday. At 2:30 p.m., Mayor Haslam will dedicate the center in honor of Dr. Davidson, who has retired from a long and distinguished career practicing medicine, but continues to be an amazingly active civic leader. In addition, the center's community room will be dedicated in honor of retired educator Ruth Benn; the gymnasium for the late Knoxville police Capt. James Rowan; and the pool for the late civil rights attorney Carl Cowan.

"If this center contributes to the community just a fraction of what Dr. Davidson has over his lifetime then it will be an unqualified success," Mayor Haslam said. "It will be my privilege to honor Dr. Davidson, Mrs. Benn, Capt. Rowan and Attorney Cowan for all they have done to improve the quality of life in the City of Knoxville."

The new recreation center, formerly the Eastside YMCA, has been renovated and updated, with a new roof, better heat and air conditioning system, and new paint. It features a large gymnasium, indoor pool, fitness room, a community room and kitchen.