Florala Mayor Robert Williamson said state park officials have confirmed work on the Florala State Park project will begin in the coming days and continue until 100 percent completed.

“I’ve been told they will work until finished,” Williamson said of the state’s promise to finish construction and outfit the 10,400-square-foot community center, which at the end of July 2009 boasted bare sheetrock and concrete floors and no ceiling.

A year earlier, the State Parks Joint Legislative Committee approved $1 million for the project. An additional $1 million in labor and equipment cost was obtained through the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s Innovative Readiness Team (IRT) program.

By November 2009, the Alabama Department of Conservation said the community center and amphitheater project was more than $50,000 over budget and only 75 percent complete.

State conservation officials cited “lean economic times” for the estimated $200,000 shortage needed to complete the building.

In April, it was announced funding to complete the project was secured; however it was unknown if it would be enough to complete the project.

“I’m happy to report that I’ve been told work will begin mid-June and run through mid-September until the work is finished,” Williamson said, speaking of a recent conversation with state parks director Mark Easterwood. Calls to Easterwood’s office were not immediately returned.

“We’re talking about paving the parking lot, as well as all the furnishings and the stage too,” Williamson said.

Williamson said legislative help was used in finding the funds to complete the project. The exact cost to complete the project is unknown.