The Vernon C. Hinely Center in Rincon is about to get a much needed makeover.  

Interim City Manager David Schofield informed the city council at a workshop on Tuesday night that he plans to have the inside painted and a new baseboard installed. Inmate labor will do the work and the supplies will cost the city $600.

Schofield is also looking into getting a new stove and refrigerator for the facility. The ones currently in place are in bad shape, according to him. The bathrooms also need some work. And he wants to have new cabinetry installed in the kitchen.

“It may take several months to get all this done,” Schofield said.

He isn’t the only one with ideas for the facility.

Councilman Ken Baxley said he would love to see ceramic tile installed there, and city planner LaMeisha Hunter would like to see new counters.

The city wants to avoid using contractors because of how much that option would cost. Therefore, no major remodeling work will take place. By using inmate labor instead the city will save a considerable amount of money.

“Try to do as much as we can as cost effectively as we can,” Schofield explained as his goal.

The money to do the minor remodeling will come from the recreation department’s general operating fund.

 “We just want to make it more presentable to the public,” Schofield explained.

He said that when all the little improvements are added up, it will result in a major facelift.

The Vernon C. Hinely Center is available for residents and groups in Rincon to rent for a variety of functions.

A senior citizen program is held there every Monday morning from 9-11 a.m. And the Rincon Senior Support Group meets there on Tuesdays at 5 p.m.