Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Troup County is planning to rename the Gray Hill Community Center after longtime community member Wayne Bartley.

The Troup County Board of Commissioners unveiled plans to rename the community center after Bartley during their work session on Tuesday morning, inviting family and friends to join in the announcement.

Commissioner Lewis Davis provided some history behind the community center. He noted that the Bartley family owned the property for years before they donated it.

The property was originally donated by the Bartley family to build the former Grey Hill School. Years later when the school was closed, the property reverted to the Bartley family. Davis said the property ended up going back to Wayne as he was the closest living descendent to the original owner.

“When he found out about it, he wanted to do something for the community that would be good for the community, so he donated that property to Troup County in order to build a community center,” Davis said. “Troup County then voted to build that community center, and it’s been a great asset to not only the Gray Hill community but all of Troup County.”

Davis said he was discussing efforts to renovate the Gray Hill Community Center when they began considering naming the facility. After discussing it with other commissioners and the Bartley family, the county came up with the Wayne Bartley Community Center at Grey Hill as the new name for the center.

Wayne’s wife and children were on hand for the announcement and thanked the commissioners for recognizing their late husband and father.

“I think the name is perfect,” David Bartley, Wayne’s son, said. “Gray Hill meant a lot to him as did Troup County. He did a lot of work for Troup County, and he’d be proud.”

Wayne’s wife, Beverly, echoed her son’s words saying her husband would be happy and proud of the new name.

Mike Wilson, CEO of New Ventures, said Wayne was a member of the New Ventures Board for many years.

“I can’t think of any more fitting tribute to Mr. Bartley than to name this building in his memory. He was such an influence on New Ventures, and our mission to work with disabled citizens. I know that personally that it was very near and dear to his heart,” Wilson said.

The commissioners are expected to officially vote to rename the community center at their regular meeting Tuesday night.

Wayne Bartley passed away in July 2020 at the age of 82.