Orangeburg 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.