Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department to relocate to new office in Roanoke County by late 2024
Roanoke, Virginia – Roanoke County’s Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department is preparing for a significant move to a new office located on Starkey Road in the Cave Spring district. This relocation comes after the department spent 37 years operating out of a facility on Kessler Mill Road, just outside of Salem. The move was prompted by ongoing issues with aging infrastructure, frequent flooding, and the need for a more strategically located office to better serve the community.
Cost-Effective Solution
Roanoke County Administrator Richard Caywood emphasized the benefits of the relocation, stating, “The relocation of our Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department will address the long-standing challenges of our previous facility. This modern, central location will enhance our ability to better serve the community while saving over $2 million through the repurposing of an existing building, reflecting our commitment to fiscal responsibility and public service.”
Initially, the County’s FY2023 budget had allocated funds for a new facility. However, as construction costs continued to rise, the decision was made to purchase an existing building, which proved to be a more cost-effective solution. The chosen property, located at 4818 Starkey Road, includes approximately 2.71 acres of land and an existing building. This property was previously owned by Delta Dental and acquired by the Roanoke County Economic Development Authority (EDA) in the spring of 2024.
Funding and Future Plans
The County purchased the building from the EDA for $1,907,152.33, which includes the contents currently within the building. Funding for both the purchase and subsequent renovations will be sourced from the County’s bonds through the Virginia Resource Authority (VRA). The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors is set to vote on an amendment to the VRA bond financing lease during their meeting on August 20, which will finalize the approval of the necessary funding.
County officials anticipate that staff will begin moving into the new Starkey Road building by late 2024, marking the start of a new chapter for the Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department as they continue to serve the Roanoke County community.
