Pool project moves ahead - County hires architect for $554,800
By GENE ZALESKI, T&D Staff Writer Wednesday, August 20, 2008Orangeburg County Council has approved spending a half-million dollars to design a new aquatic facility.
County officials believe the center could cost $6-$7 million, and possibly reach up to $10 million as new amenities are added over the years. The county already has plans to use $4 million from its penny sales tax and $2 million in other county funds on the project.
Councilwoman Janie Cooper said the aquatic center has been a long time coming, “But they have finally arrived.”
“I know the citizens of Orangeburg County will be glad to see that we now have a pool in our backyard,” she said.
The center would include an outdoor seasonal pool and water park, as well as an indoor pool complete with classroom space for aquatic instruction, a hydrotherapy pool, locker rooms and administrative and lobby space. The facility would include a gymnasium and a multipurpose facility, possibly including an elevated running track.
The projected $10 million project would occupy about three acres on property owned by the county on St. Matthews Road, near the Department of Social Services and the Council on Aging building.
The center is projected to open the first quarter of 2010.
On Monday, Council unanimously approved the bid by Charleston-based LS3P Associates to provide architectural services. The cost is not to exceed $554,800. Fifteen proposals were offered, with the county narrowing it down to three of top bidders.
Cooper said the therapeutic pool will be great for seniors and for all.
“It is high time we stop reading about some of our young folks and all people drowning because they can’t swim,” she said. “I am just overwhelmed.”
Councilman Willie B. Owens said the opening of a pool could be just what the county needs to send its own to the next Summer Olympics to become the next Michael Phelps.
Council unanimously approved a bid by West Columbia-based Carolina Tap and Bore Inc. for $426,524.50 to continue the placement of water lines in the Langley Road and Brentwood or Williams subdivision area.
County Administrator Bill Clark said the projects were combined in an effort to receive a more competitive bid. Work on both projects will begin immediately. There were seven bidders who responded to the project.
Cooper, whose district includes Langley Road, expressed her pleasure that the project is moving forward.
“I think I will go out and dance when they start doing the work,” Cooper said.
In another project, Council unanimously gave Orangeburg-based Skip Welch Construction the $40,000 bid to upgrade and improve the gymnasium floor of the Orangeburg Area Development Center. The floor was described by Clark as “old and worn.”
In other business:
* Clark presented council with the National Association of Counties Achievement Award and the South Carolina Association of Counties J. Mitchell Graham Award. The county officially received the awards earlier this month.
The county received the NAC Achievement Award for its Fixing Broken Windows Project. The project aimed to clean up and renovate blighted areas throughout the county including the removal of abandoned houses. It was the fifth consecutive year the county has received the award.
The county also won an honorable mention with the J. Mitchell Graham Award for a community celebration at the Presidential Primary Debate, which was held in April 2007 on the campus of South Carolina State University.
It was the sixth consecutive year the county won the award.
* Council gave third and final reading to the update of the land-use element of the county’s comprehensive plan. Under state law, the county is required to update the plan every five years.
* Council gave unanimous approval to an intergovernmental agreement regarding the enforcement of community development ordinances with the town of Springfield to allow the county to enforce and regulate community development ordinances in the town.
* Council received an update on its participation in the NACO prescription drug card program.
Since the county joined the program in March 2006, residents have saved $364,878.47, officials say. The program is designed for uninsured and underinsured county residents without prescription drug coverage.
Individuals wanting a card are asked to contact their respective council members or County Council at 803-533-6102.
Council agreed to do a better job publicizing the availability of the card.
T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551.
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tas wrote on Aug 26, 2008 3:20 PM:
For: 9
Against: 4
Want a vote: 2 "
cokaytian wrote on Aug 26, 2008 7:47 AM:
enough_already wrote on Aug 24, 2008 8:49 PM:
tas wrote on Aug 21, 2008 5:27 PM:
flabberjabber wrote on Aug 21, 2008 3:44 PM:
dawn66 wrote on Aug 21, 2008 12:35 PM:
Well, what would you like them to do, have a 'free lunch' buffet instead? Don't think so. The schools provide free lunches to kids who's parents can't afford it. Those parents need to teach their kids how to swim too. There are too many drownings around here. Its not going to be just a swimming pool.
I said nothing about 'keeping the kids off the streets'- I said 'The teenagers have nothing to do in Orangeburg.' They aren't 'in the streets', they are watching TV, playing video games or on a computer. They need recreation. (so do the adults)
The Edisto River is grand and all, but... I've swam in it myself & its not exactly safe.
Its muddy, dark, too low, snakes, bugs & even alligators! And a strong current for little kids. You can't practice swimming underwater or diving & there's not too much good public access. Lake Santee isn't much better.
Orangeburg needs this & much more. "
austinsbaseballfan wrote on Aug 21, 2008 11:42 AM:
confisus_sum wrote on Aug 21, 2008 9:59 AM:
tas wrote on Aug 21, 2008 9:18 AM:
tas wrote on Aug 21, 2008 9:14 AM:
New2Orangeburg wrote on Aug 21, 2008 8:20 AM:
Ajamu wrote on Aug 20, 2008 11:17 PM:
Do you seriously believe that we think that you really are a Claflin student? Yeah "Rick" has talked about a pool since the '70's but why bring him up here?. If you really are a student then you know that a true lyricist/mc can form phrases out of their heads effortlessly. Be versatile and master the language. Always proof read and be able to flow easily from American Standard to 'spittin with your homies from around the way. I feel what you're 'sayin but people can profile you by your style of communicating. I don't think you are a student. "
minimouse wrote on Aug 20, 2008 7:42 PM:
flabberjabber wrote on Aug 20, 2008 5:07 PM:
Council has there priorities way out of order. "
terrrygirl wrote on Aug 20, 2008 5:00 PM:
wagreen1 wrote on Aug 20, 2008 3:52 PM:
dawn66 wrote on Aug 20, 2008 12:33 PM:
Every county should have facilities like this.
The teenagers have nothing to do in Orangeburg.
Parents could teach their children how to swim. (much needed in this area!) Not to mention how scorching hot it gets in this region. SC is #5 on the current list of most overweight states in the Country. Health really is the most important thing.
dawn66 "
Ajamu wrote on Aug 20, 2008 11:11 AM:
skyler 6 wrote on Aug 20, 2008 11:08 AM:
sparky wrote on Aug 20, 2008 11:00 AM:
futurepolitican wrote on Aug 20, 2008 1:16 AM:
Claflin University class of 2012 "