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County proposes welcome center, fishing pier and campsites using Hotel–Motel and SPLOST funds
Summary
At the July 28 work session the county manager proposed converting a room in City Hall to a welcome center, building a fishing pier at Riverbend Park and adding powered campsites — funded by Hotel–Motel and SPLOST receipts — and noted a SEID trail grant site visit is scheduled.
County Manager Thomas Weaver outlined tourism and recreation projects the county could advance using Hotel–Motel and SPLOST funds during the July 28 work session.
Weaver said the county has a Hotel/Motel balance of about $813,251 and has already collected more than $500,000 in 2025 SPLOST recreation receipts. He proposed converting a deteriorated room in City Hall into a welcome center that could be shared with the Chamber of Commerce or other organizations and said staff will seek quotes to repair the room.
At Riverbend Park, Weaver proposed building a fishing pier (adjacent to the existing boat dock) and developing campsites with power and mound septic systems to attract weekend visitors. "If we have power and water, people will come," Weaver said while urging commissioners to authorize quotes and project planning. He also asked for quotes for a small two-restroom facility near the busy King Street basketball court and for signage cleanup at county entrance signs.
Weaver reported a SEID (trail) grant application is in process and a site visit is scheduled; the grant requires commission approval and signature to proceed. Recreation staff reported higher use at Riverbend Park this season, noting the splashpad's final day is October 6 and that attendance nearly doubled this year.
The commission agreed to place project approvals, FLOST readings, the SEID grant signature and related procurement items on the Aug. 5 regular meeting agenda for formal consideration and potential vote.
