HOMER - The Banks County Commission has cleared the way for a new recreation facility near Homer.
During its meeting Tuesday night, the commission voted 5-0 to proceed with construction of the $3.2-million complex near existing recreation facilities on Thompson Street.
The work, financed entirely by the county's 1-cent sales tax, will be performed by Scroggs & Grizzel Contracting of Gainesville, with a 270-day construction period.
Recreation Director Joe Gailey says the facility will include three 220-foot fields, a 300-foot field, batting cages, a restroom/concession building, walking trail, and a playground.
Banks County Commission Chairman Jimmy Hooper said the project has been years in the making.
"The taxpayers of Banks County wanted to spend the SPLOST money for it, and we're just putting in gear their plans - what the citizens of Banks County want us to do," Hooper said.
Commissioner Danny Maxwell made the motion to approve the facility, with Commissioner Charles Turk seconding. Both commissioners have worked long hours, along with resident Jason Hensley, to develop plans for the facility.
Value engineering by commissioners and others brought the price down from about $4 million to the $3.2 million that will be available in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds.
A multipurpose field and paving of the walking trail were sacrificed initially, but could be added later.
