Renovations continue at the Patterson Community Center in Lawton

Renovations continue at the Patterson Community Center in Lawton, which has been closed since April 22. Improvements include replacement of insulation and ceiling tiles, new flooring and painting throughout the 11,381 square-foot building, bathroom upgrades, kitchen repairs, and work on the HVAC system, city officials reported. Langley Construction of Lawton is the contractor on the $150,000 overhaul. The building was constructed in 1942 as a USO facility in World War II, and it was converted to a recreation center in 1963, records reflect. The City of Lawton acquired the Patterson Center in 1968 “as its first African American Soldiers’ USO,”said Caitlin Gatlin, the city’s communications director.