During the last Board of Commissioners’ meeting, it was announced that preparations for the aquatic center are underway.
In the past, Baldwin County had a swimming pool that was closed due to the cost of rehabilitating it. Since then, a new water recreational facility was discussed, and the aquatic center was approved by voters in 2017. According to Carlos Tobar, the county manager, the one being built in Baldwin County will be modeled after the water park in the city of Dublin.
“We were trying to decide what to build. Through extensive research, we have realized that no one uses swimming pools anymore. Water parks are what is popular,” said Tobar. “We researched multiple facilities, and we like the one in Dublin. That is why we hope to model ours after it.”
The aquatic center will be a water park located at Walter B. Williams Park where the old prison once sat. The land was cleared for building by the State Office of Historic Preservation.
“There was a survey done with residents through the aquatic committee with the help of the school district. The majority of the respondents said they wanted the aquatic center to be in the middle of the county,” said Tobar. “We had three sites that we were going to study, and Williams Park was the largest one that had the largest footprint.”
Currently, potential designs for the aquatic facility are being created. Designs are hoped to be finalized by November. When building does begin, it will be in two phases. Phase one will include the pool and the overall building. Phase two will include all added features to the waterpark including examples such as a lazy river, a splash pad, etc.
“The aquatic center will be built with all ages in mind. We want the center to be fit for children and seniors,” said Tobar.
Currently, the county is applying for a $500,000 Georgia Department of Natural Resources Land & Water Conservation Fund grant and a $2 million state grant to help pay for the construction costs. SPLOST will match those grants. According to the Board of Commissioners’ October newsletter, all donations and letters they received in support of this project were attached to the fund applications and will help their chances in scoring highly.
“If we receive some of these grants, we will be on their time schedule to start building. We must get the budget approved before we can confirm anything,” said Tobar. “We should know within a few months if we’re funded and then the design should be wrapping up sometime towards the end of the year.”
The aquatic center will act as another recreational center that will be open for the public to enjoy and visit at their leisure.