Officials broke ground for a splash pad at the McBean Community Center.
The project’s price tag is $119,000 and is part of the funds the Parks and Recreation Department requested from special purpose local option sales tax money. It’s part of $6 million in SPLOST 8 committed to park improvements at Big Oak, Hickman, MMS and McBean Parks.
“This will definitely be a catalyst for more programming at this particular community center,” said Director Maurice McDowell. “This particular area has been lacking an aquatic feature. This brings an aquatic feature here which then gives us opportunity for our youth out here to have something versus going into the more urban areas.”
District 8 Commissioner Brandon Garrett said this is another step in overall improvements to his district.
“There’s been infrastructure improvements all around the district in the last three years,” said Garrett. “This is just a continuation of helping to provide avenues for things to do for our kids as well as entice people to move here.”
Garrett said this was a project his predecessor, former commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle, had pushed hard to get built.
McDowell said starting the construction while heading into winter is perfect timing.
“Things with government run a little slow so if we get started now, hopefully by early spring, we’ll have this feature in place,” he said. “Then look forward to a healthy spring and summer when we’ll have this feature available for our youth to come out and enjoy.”
The splash pad will be built by Atlanta-based Playground Creations. The company website says, “Playground Creations is a division of Architectural Design Specialties, Inc. and was established to provide exceptional playground equipment and site furnishings in the State of Georgia.”
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
