𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞

The Titus Community Center has long served as a gathering place for residents, families, and visitors, and recent improvements have given the community an updated space to host events, celebrate local traditions, and come together throughout the year.

Elmore County recently made a $180,000 investment in the Community Center that was aimed at enhancing the community center’s functionality, accessibility, and overall appearance while providing an improved venue for one of Titus’ signature annual events, the Bluegrass Festival.

Elmore County Chief Engineer and Operations Officer Luke McGinty said the improvements are an investment in a community space that plays an important role in bringing people together.

“The Titus Community Center is the focal point of this community, bringing families, neighbors, and visitors together,” McGinty said. “Each September, the Bluegrass Festival boosts the local economy and celebrates Titus’s hospitality.”

The project included demolishing the more than 30-year-old stage and constructing a larger, modern stage with upgraded electrical systems and additional storage behind it.

A new footbridge was also built across the drainage ditch, providing access to the lawn area in front of the stage. The space allows community members and vendors to sit, gather, and enjoy performances during events.

Drainage improvements were completed around the center to help redirect water and prevent flooding near the new stage. The final phase of the project included paving the access road from Cutter Road to the Community Center, improving access to the facility.

“The recent stage, sound, and electrical upgrades will help the community host a growing festival and more community events throughout the year,” McGinty said.

County crews began work on the project in November 2025, with the final paving completed in mid-December 2025.

Elmore County Commissioner Henry Hines said the improvements are part of the County Commission’s continued effort to make quality-of-life investments throughout the county’s communities.

“The County Commission has worked to make quality of life improvements throughout the communities in Elmore County, and one of those investments was the Titus Community Center,” Hines said.

The previous stage, which had been used for the annual Bluegrass Festival for decades, had reached a point where significant repairs were needed.

“The old stage used for the annual Bluegrass Festival had reached the point where it needed significant repairs,” Hines said. “Rather than continue patching it, we made the decision to remove it and build a brand-new stage and structure for the community.”

Phillip Kelly, president of the Titus Community Center, said the project reflects the strong support the center receives from the Titus community and Elmore County.

“It’s great that our community supports us so much, and the County Commission as well,” Kelly said. “This is our 26th consecutive Bluegrass Festival coming up at the end of September, and we have a new stage that took the place of our 25-year-old stage, which was in bad need of repairs. We have a brand-new stage now for the Bluegrass Festival, along with electrical work.”

Kelly said the improvements also provide a benefit beyond the annual festival, as the Community Center serves as a voting precinct.

“We were able to have the road paved in front of the community center for access into and out of the voting precinct area,” Kelly said.

The work extended beyond the stage itself, with improvements to the surrounding grounds designed to enhance the appearance and functionality of the venue.

“We’re excited to see the Bluegrass Festival return this year with these improvements in place,” Hines said. “The new stage will provide a better experience for performers and visitors, and we hope these upgrades will help the community host even more events throughout the year.”

For Titus, the improvements represent more than upgrades to a community facility. The project provides residents with an improved place to gather and gives the community an enhanced venue for continuing traditions such as the Bluegrass Festival while creating opportunities for additional events in the years ahead.

As Elmore County continues to grow, investments in community spaces such as the Titus Community Center help preserve the places that bring residents together and contribute to the quality of life across the county.