MaconBibbTV – Upgrades under way at Lake Tobesofkee
13WMAZ
Lake Tobesofkee parks to see new restrooms, guardhouses
MACON, Ga. — Thanks to $1.3 million in SPLOST funds, parks at Lake Tobesofkee are set to see some changes.
A news release from Macon-Bibb County Public Affairs says Claystone, Arrowhead, and Sandy Beach parks will all get new guardhouses.
Crews will be building a new ranger station at Claystone Park to replace the trailers being used as housing offices.
Sandy Beach and Claystone Park will each have new restroom facilities.
The release says this is the start of the first phase of “major improvements” for Lake Tobesofkee’s parks and the project is expected to take about six months.
“Lake Tobesofkee is a jewel for our county and region, attracting people from around the state and southeast to camp, swim, walk, bike, and more, and I’m so glad to see this work getting underway,” commissioner Joe Allen said. “With this work, we’re taking care of both visitors and employees, and I know with this and future improvements that even more people will want to enjoy what’s offered out here and revenue will increase.”
The county will have a ceremonial groundbreaking with an excavator on May 20 at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate the start of construction.
Macon-Bibb County’s newest recreation center is prime for major additions.
Another $4.4 million in special sales tax revenue could be spent on the South Bibb Recreation Center, a 35,000-square-foot facility situated on 20 acres on Houston Road. The new additions would be a quick turnaround after the $10 million first phase opened to much fanfare in May.
Once phase two is completed, the South Bibb Recreation Center will have splash pads, multipurpose fields, a playground, expanded parking and more. The signature attraction, however, will be the completion of a 24-court tennis complex aimed at attracting tournaments, officials said Tuesday.
The County Commission is scheduled to vote next week to contract with Warren Associates, Inc. to complete the second phase. It will take about nine months to finish once construction begins, Macon-Bibb County SPLOST manager Clay Murphey said.
The changes to the South Bibb Recreation Center also mean more staffing will be needed, primarily for the tennis complex. Commissioners are expected to be dealing with more budget constraints leading up to next summer when the expansion is targeted for completion.
The next time you attend a game at historic Luther Williams Field in Central City Park, it’s going to look different! General contractors Warren Associates has begun $2.5 million in SPLOST-funded upgrades to get ready for the start of the Macon Bacon’s season in June 2018.
