Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct a quote misattributed to Kristin Hosington.
Conroe’s new Oscar Johnson Jr. Enrichment and Recreation Center is still in its warranty phase, but city officials said May 28 they are working through several post-construction issues at the nearly $40 million, 87,000-square-foot facility.
The update came during a Conroe City Council meeting, where staff discussed issues involving the building’s crawl space, plumbing, sewer lines and an anchor on the roof.
What happened
Parks and Recreation staff said the agenda item was tied to updates on Owen Park and the Oscar Johnson Jr. Enrichment and Recreation Center, including the center’s commercial kitchen remodel. In the meeting, Purchasing Contract Administrator Brandy Taylor said the city had bid out the commercial kitchen project, but it is currently on hold and was planned to be funded through leftover construction money from the Oscar Johnson facility.
Chuck Purvis, assistant director of community development, who addressed council on the building issues, said the city is still working through warranty-related repairs.
“We've had quite a few issues over there, and we've been taking care of them,” Purvis said. “We're still in the warranty phase of the project, so we're getting that taken care of.”
The details
When asked by Mayor Duke Coon what issues were being fixed, Purvis pointed to the crawl space and plumbing.
“We had issues with the crawl space, they readjusted the ventilation system on that, and so that took care of most of the mold and stuff in the bottom,” Purvis said.
He said plumbing problems surfaced after a basketball tournament at the facility. He said one side of the building clogged, and before the city could get someone to camera the line, the other side also stopped up.
“We found an 8-inch core down in the sewer pan, so we fished that out,” Purvis said.
He said the backup got onto the carpet, and further review showed the plumbing was “supported from the bottom and not hung like it should have been,” along with flow issues.
Council members also raised concerns about a report outlining findings at the facility. Council member Shana Arthur said many of the items appeared to be workmanship errors and pointed to concerns about a roof anchor.
“I think we should publicly release these findings to the citizens, because we paid $40 million for this, and I think they should have a right to see this,” Arthur said.
Arthur also said law firms Faulkner and O’Donnell should remain involved to make sure the findings are repaired correctly and signed off on.
What they’re saying
Council members questioned whether the building is safe for the public while repairs are underway.
“I just want to make sure, is it safe for people to be in there due to the mold and the roofing and everything,” Arthur said.
Purvis said he believes the facility is safe, adding the issue was not continuing inside the building.
Coon asked whether the humidity issue beneath the building had been resolved.
“There's still some water underneath there holding places, but as far as it's not like mold throughout the building, anytime you open that hatch, that's not an issue like it was,” Purvis said.
Council members also asked about the cause of the mold issues. Purvis said the crawl space is part of the challenge.
“It's because of the way the building was built,” Purvis said. “It's actually elevated off of the ground underneath it. It has crawl space, and it's by nature that stays up here.”
He said condensation under the building was also contributing to the issue.
How we got here
The Oscar Johnson Jr. Enrichment and Recreation Center, located at 710 Foster Drive, has been years in the making.
Plans for a new community center began with a feasibility study in 2014, and the city broke ground on the new facility in July 2023. The center was designed to replace the former Oscar Johnson Jr. facility and expand recreation, youth, senior and community programming.
The center includes two full-size basketball courts that can be converted into six pickleball courts, a fitness area, group fitness classes, a cycling room, a walking track, a children’s zone, senior programming and event space.
What’s next
No formal action was taken on the Oscar Johnson update during the May 28 discussion.
Purvis said the city is working through the warranty process, and council members asked for the findings to be shared with the full council. Council members also said they want the public to have access to more information about the building’s issues.
Also on the agenda
Council also received an update on Conroe’s Main Street program.
Michael Corbett, who served as downtown manager from August 2023 to October 2024 and now works as an administration manager in the parks department, said the city is no longer affiliated with the program.
“Since that time really any active participation in that program stopped in March of 2025,” Corbett said. “City leadership initiated a formal leave of absence with the Texas Historical Commission. They oversee the program, so in March of 2026 that leave of absence would have lapsed, so at this point in time today we have no affiliation with that program.”
Corbett said the change was described to him as a shift in priorities.
“It was kind of framed to me as just a priority shift,” Corbett said. “We at the time said he wanted resources focused more on maintenance and beautification.”
He said participating in the program required maintaining an advisory board, submitting monthly, quarterly and annual reports, and meeting certain staffing and budget standards.
“The Main Street program itself doesn't offer grants,” Corbett said.
Council took no formal action on the Main Street program update.
