CAIRO — The Grady County Board of Commissioners did another lap of discussion on the aquatic center project.

The board conducted a workshop on the 2007 special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) project Tuesday afternoon.

Chairman Elwyn Childs said the workshop was to see available options and the legalities that had to be followed regarding the aquatic center project.

County Administrator Carlos Tobar said his initial view of utilizing the $900,000 garnered in SPLOST funds toward a splash-pad centered project.

“My recommendation has evolved,” Tobar said, presenting both splash-pad and pool scenarios.

Tobar also said a splash-pad only option could not be constructed — an aspect County Attorney Kevin Cauley addressed at a previous commissioners meeting.

Examples of constructed pools in other areas, such as Albany, were presented. Specifications of pool dimensions and number of lanes also were discussed.

Per Georgia Parks and Recreation Association (GRPA) guidelines, competition swimming pools should have eight lanes, though six-lane pools are accepted.

According to Becky Bracewell, director of Grady County Department of Recreation, Grady County’s recreation department is governed through GRPA.

Bracewell also addressed questions she has been asked regrading the project, including the costs associated with maintaining a pool and if the project could be put up for a vote again.

City Manager Chris Addleton, also in attendance, discussed associated costs of running the pool at Holder Park. Addleton said $60,000 in combined costs for supervision, utilities, electricity, and other costs is spent for the 10-week season the pool is open.

Commissioner T.D. David said for the project to be put back on a SPLOST ballot, the project would have to be declared infeasible due to impracticality or not in the best issue of the county.

The collected SPLOST funds would have to be utilized for either lowering debt or ad valorem rates if the project is declared infeasible, according to David.

The tabled decision on the aquatic center project in 2009 also was discussed.

Charles Renaud, who served on the commission board during the tabled action, said he could not vote on the project then due to lack of information.

A father of a swimmer, Renaud also addressed the different groups of voters and each of their different viewpoints of the ballot, after questioned by Childs on what could satisfy everyone in the county.

“It’s a many-headed hydra that we have run into,” he said.

The board unanimously approved forming a committee for the project, with Commissioner Keith Moye providing the first motion and Vice Chairman Ray Prince seconding.

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.