It’s going to take an additional $850,000 to repair the scoring towers at Diamond Lakes Regional Park.
The towers in the south Richmond County park house restroom and concession facilities for youth and adult sports. They’ve been plagued by clogged drains and leaks for years despite the city spending $982,181 since 2018 to fix them.
Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle, a flooring contractor, attributed the problems to previous work being done without permits and inspections being required.
“We’ve got the recreation department and other departments trying to do this work without pulling permits, and no inspections are being done,” he said.
The new estimate includes renovating the restrooms, interim Central Services Director Ron Lampkin said in a presentation to commissioners Tuesday.
The repairs are cheaper than trying to rebuild, Lampkin said.
“The bones of the building are good,” he said.
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Temporary fix for rowers at Boathouse
In another Augusta Recreation maintenance item going through Augusta committees Tuesday, commissioners heard from Director Maurice McDowell on conditions at the Boathouse.
Conditions are preventing Augusta Rowing Club from using the facility as a headquarters and place to store shells.
McDowell said the city agreed to supply portable toilets as as short-term solution for the club.
Brad Holdren, who coaches the club, said the club could continue to use the building as a garage for upcoming races and conduct activities outside in the meantime.
Call to hold property owners accountable
Commissioner Sean Frantom brought call data from two Washington Road addresses at the I-20 exit in a plea to hold businesses accountable for activities on their premises.
“When you look at these two locations and the number of calls for services,” Frantom said, “it’s because the location is not doing anything to clean up their act.”
The incidents include deaths that occur in hotel rooms and short-term rentals, he said.
“It is seriously affecting business,” Frantom said.
Similar problems extend to apartment complexes and private homes, Commissioner Jordan Johnson said.
“We don’t have much on our books to hold slumlords accountable,” he said.
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Augusta Tomorrow seeks funds for master plan
In an agenda addition, a committee approved giving Augusta Tomorrow $150,000 toward completion of a new Urban Area Master Plan.
The organization spearheaded the 2009 Westoubou plan that envisioned the Fifth Street pedestrian bridge project as well as earlier riverfront and downtown developments.
The 2009 plan received $150,000 from Augusta, $50,000 from North Augusta and had 50% private sector involvement, according to a handout.
Augusta’s Engineering Services committee approved spending $1 million in American Rescue Plan funds to include $550,000 for irrigation in order to landscape a section of Windsor Spring Road.
An additional $185,000 would go to vacant lot cleanups and $265,000 for drainage and vegetation around the Richmond County Correctional Institute.
Susan McCord is a staff writer with The Augusta Press. Reach her at susan@theaugustapress.com
