Gilmer County’s new pool may end up back where the old pool is located.
Gilmer County Chairman Charlie Paris mentioned the change at the Board of Commissioners workshop Oct. 15.
Originally, the plan was to locate the new pool and possibly a county recreation complex on property next to the soccer fields across the river from River Park. The town of East Ellijay offered to buy the property to keep everything centrally located.
“We knew it was in the floodplain,” Paris said.
A grading study left no doubt, but also let the board know they would have to move 86,000 cubic yards of dirt to raise the area.
“That was a deal breaker,” Paris said.
Property near the Clear Creek ball fields was the fallback position for the board.
“It’s pretty clear people don’t want it out there,” Paris said.
The county was left looking for property to locate the new pool. At this point, Paris said it occurred to him it would cost less to demolish the old pool than to buy new
property.
“Then we will have to make sure everything is secure underneath,” he said.
Money will be saved by keeping the bathrooms and changing areas at the old pool site. There will be some renovations and repairs. A major need is to replace the waste water pipes at more of an angle for drainage purposes.
Paris said the primary pool should fit where the old pool is located. A proposed wading pool may extend out toward the maintenance shed.
Nothing is set in stone, yet, he said. But, he stressed, they do need to start getting things locked down soon.