The Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority and Neel Schaffer Inc. will hold a public meeting Thursday on the renovations and improvements of neighborhood parks.
During the public meeting, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Columbus Municipal Complex, officials will unveil and discuss improvements planned for community centers in Sim Scott Park, Townsend Park, New Hope and Anderson Grove, as well as renovations to East Columbus Gym and a basketball pavilion at Townsend Park.
Residents will have an opportunity to view designs and layout proposals for each of the new buildings.
A bid process on the construction work likely will begin three to four weeks after the public meeting.
“If a citizen lives near or is interested in neighborhood parks, then this is a very important meeting for them,” said CLRA Executive Director Roger Short. “What they will be seeing is the future of our neighborhood parks. I would encourage anyone who can attend this meeting to do so. This is truly the future of our children and finally, a focus on the quality of life in Columbus and Lowndes County.”
The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors earlier voted to commit $850,000 to a $1.7 million plan to renovate neighborhood parks; the Columbus City Council also committed $850,000 to the plan.
The approved parks plan called for $390,000 to be spent in Townsend Park to demolish the Charles Brown gym and build a 5,000-square-foot community center, for $290,000 to be spent in Sim Scott Park to demolish the old Boys and Girls Club building and construct a 5,000-square-foot community building, and for $120,000 to be spent to renovate the East Columbus gym and pave the parking area.
Additionally, $30,000 will be spent to construct a 600-square-foot open air pavilion and half-mile asphalt walking track at Northaven Woods Park; $265,000 will be spent to construct a 5,000-square-foot community center at Anderson Grove Park; $100,000 will be spent for land acquisition for future recreation expansion in Caledonia; and $290,000 will be spent to purchase property and construct a 5,000-square-foot community center in New Hope.
Money also will be spent on architectural and engineering surveys, as well as geotechnical and other surveys for the project.
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