Henry County is now accepting construction bids for the new aquatic center. The venue, to be built in McDonough, is the headline project of the SPLOST V program.
Construction proposals are due to the county by update: August 10, 2023. The board will consider awarding a construction contract this fall.
Aquatic Center Construction Bids
Henry County released the request for proposals on Thursday, June 1. The RFP seeks contractors with experience building other similar projects. County staff will review all proposals received before negotiating a price with the final contractor. They will then present to the board of commissioners so they can consider awarding a contract.
Once the county awards a contract, then the project has an estimated build time of 18 months. This should put the new venue opening by spring 2025. The project budget is $22 million, though thats not expected to be sufficient. Its not known right now what the cost will be.
Location & Design
The aquatic center will be located at 1177 Henry Parkway Connector. This is located off the back side of Cotton Fields Golf Course in McDonough. Access will be via the four-lane Henry Parkway. The Georgia 20 widening, now under construction, will tie into the road opening up a new connection.
The aquatic center has two parts: an indoor venue and outdoor water park. The building features a 50-meter competition pool and therapy warm pool; whereas, outdoors there will be a zero-entry, lazy river, activity pool and other water features / slides. Site work also includes two parking lots and a new road to serve the venue.
Site Controversy
The selected site for the new venue, Cotton Fields Golf Course, is not without controversy. Neighbors in the adjacent subdivision have opposed the project’s construction. In response, the county has stated there will be a landscaped buffer between their homes and the aquatic center.
In addition, county staff shared in May a master plan to close Cotton Fields Golf Course. A new public safety training facility and other buildings would instead occupy the property. Supporters to keep the golf course open held a community meeting this week to organize their efforts.
At this time, the board of commissioners has not voted whether to close the golf course. The county has not stated when the board may consider voting on it.
Featured image shows the aquatic center site layout. Henry County photo.
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