The City of Elkhart will spend $5 million on building and improving the Tolson Center.

Monday night the City Council approved the funding with a unanimous 8-0 vote.

Another $2 million will come from the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, and yet another $1 million from private donors.

City Councilman Kevin Bullard said “this is a broader vision than just a building, it’s about a revitalization of a neighborhood and bring a community center for the entire city.”

Construction could begin in the spring of next year, with the hopes of opening the new center in early 2022.