During a recent council meeting, local resident Jamie Chavalier voiced strong opposition to the proposed Aquatic Center project, citing financial concerns and prioritization of community needs. Chavalier, who has lived in the county for eight years after spending over three decades in the Washington D.C. area, emphasized that the county is among the poorest in South Carolina and is facing a diminishing tax base.

Chavalier argued that the construction and ongoing maintenance of the Aquatic Center would be financially burdensome for the community. He expressed skepticism about the council's due diligence prior to approving the project and urged members to reconsider their decision. He highlighted the pressing need for improvements in the local school system as a more critical priority for attracting businesses and jobs to the area.

Despite the lack of public turnout at the meeting, Chavalier noted that he had received considerable support from community members who agreed with his stance against the Aquatic Center. He concluded his remarks by reiterating the need for the council to focus on essential services and infrastructure improvements rather than recreational facilities.

Following Chavalier's comments, the meeting proceeded with a presentation from Donald Strickland of the PDRTA, indicating ongoing efforts to address community needs in Colorado County.