Project visionaries want to give the community more than soccer fields at Burns Bottom.
Thursday night at the Columbus Municipal Complex, the public has the chance to weigh in on amenities proposed as options to plans for a 23-field soccer complex at Burns Bottom, which will tie into the Riverwalk.
“The visionaries of this project have come up with some things that have nothing to do with soccer,” said City Engineer Kevin Stafford. “The amenities are things that don”t pertain to soccer, but these are things that pertain to nature and making it into more of a Central Park atmosphere.”
The primary project includes a bridge over Moore”s Creek, a playground and three separate concession facilities, two of which will be identical with restrooms; one will add a referee”s lounge.
Proposed amenities include boardwalks through wetland areas, an environmental and educational center, a community hearth, a waterfall-like feature tying into Moore”s Creek, a suspension bridge over the creek connecting to the environmental center and pavilions along the championship field area. Stepping stones along water and wading pools for children, with dry areas for adults to relax and take in the environment also are options.
The boardwalks and environmental center would offer the opportunity to learn, through firsthand observation, about wetlands and ecosystems.
The community hearth would be large enough for teams to hold practice, said Stafford. It also would feature a grill, fireplace and large pavilion with picnic tables.
A joint project of the city of Columbus, Lowndes County and CLRA, the park is expected to cost about $3.2 million to $3.5 million without amenities. Options proposed would bring the project up to about $5 million.
And while Stafford admits the amenities are not in the budget right now, he hopes the community will fall in love with the ideas and persuade local elected officials to do the same.
“If the community is in favor, local government will be in favor of them, as well,” said Stafford, noting the plans are already there, so amenities could be added in the future.
Stafford hopes the Municipal Complex Courtroom will be overflowing, when the presentation begins at 5:30 p.m. The last public hearing on the soccer complex drew about 200 people, he noted.
CLRA Director Roger Short also hopes the community comes out in force.
“This gives the public an opportunity to see what the future of the Burns Bottom soccerplex will look like,” Short said. “They”ll be a part of this on the ground floor. It”s a great quality of life project, and we hope that it will bring tournaments and it will bring an economic impact to the community.”
Recreation officials began discussing a sportsplex in 1998. And until last year, the board had little to show for it. Plans were drawn out in 2002, outlining facilities for baseball, all-ages softball and youth football programs. With an $18 million price tag, the project wasn”t feasible.
Then last year, the project was kicked into high gear. The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors agreed to purchase property at Burns Bottom for a soccer complex, with the city donating 14.9 acres and providing water, sewage and in-kind services. The county also committed $3.25 million to the development of the complex, a sprawling park to be located on 70 acres of land.
For Short and many others, it is a longtime community dream becoming reality. “It gives our children a great outlet and a great place to enjoy their sports and their activity,” he said.
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