Earlier this year, Columbia County Commissioners approved the 2023-2028 list of Special Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax projects. Voters will have the option to approve this list on the upcoming Nov. 8 ballot.
The project list estimated cost is around $288 million over six years. The list includes new parks, upgrades to parks and county facilities, new fire trucks and new fire stations, road work and storm water improvements.
Blanchard Park, located at 4541 Dewey Drive, is the oldest functioning park in the county and is one of the projects on the list to be upgraded using the SPLOST proceeds.
“We hope to use the SPLOST coming up as a total revamp of the amenities here,” said Columbia County Community Services Director John Luton. “It is really going to be a full-face lift of that park.”
Columbia County already started a project at Blanchard Park at the beginning of this year, connecting Blanchard Park to Columbia Road. According to Columbia County Manager Scott Johnson, that project is expected to be finished in December.
MORE: Kemp announces $250 million for parks and recreation in low-income communities
Luton says this project of upgrading Blanchard Park is top priority and much needed in Columbia County.
“Back when Patriots Park and Riverside Park were built in the early 90s, the priority was sort of larger regionalized parks and some of the smaller neighborhood parks, such as Blanchard Park, sort of got left behind,” Luton said. “The focus now has shifted back to rehabbing some of the older parks.”
Upgrades to the athletic fields, parking, walking trails and replacing some of the older buildings at the park are a few of many things expected at Blanchard Park. With pickleball being one of the fastest growing sports, a pickleball complex is also to be built at Blanchard Park.
“We think Blanchard Park is the perfect spot for some pickleball courts and that is a big need for the growing sport,” Luton said.
Luton says it is not only a need for pickleball players, but a need for tennis players as well to free up the tennis courts.
Columbia County District 2 Commissioner Donald Skinner expressed his excitement on the upgrades planning to happen at Blanchard Park in a video on Columbia County Government’s Facebook page earlier this year.
“I remember when I use to coach football at this park and my kids played football out there and it is just a great memory to come to this park and let District 2 know, we are going to spend some money, improve it and make it one of the best parks in the county,” said Columbia County District 2 Commissioner Donald Skinner.
MORE: Augusta Commissioners quietly pass nearly $7 million plan to bail out Parks and Recreation
While Blanchard Park is one of the parks expected to be revamped, Columbia County is also expected to upgrade several parks in the area and new ones are to be built.
Luton says new parks and park upgrades are a must right now due to the growth in Columbia County and the increase of kids registered for youth sports.
“The most crucial purpose for it is more field space, we have over 3,300 kids registered for youth sports this fall, which is 700 more than last year. Field demand is at a all time high, we are having to, unfortunately, turn away outside leagues that come in and use fields because we have to accommodate the needs of our in house programs first,” Luton said. “Any park we can try to add more athletic field space is a priority for us.”
Gateway Tournament Complex and Multipurpose Park are two new parks planned to be built. According to Luton, Gateway Tournament Complex will be designed to attract possibly regional and national softball and baseball tournaments. It will be around 12 fields used for mainly baseball, but also used for other sports as well. The complex would also be used during the week for local sports.
There is also a park expected to be built in Riverwood area. Luton says with the terrain in the area, there will be a spot for some mountain bike trails in Columbia County.
Chris Rickerson is a staff reporter covering Columbia County government and general assignment topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at chris@theaugustapress.com.
