New bleachers are being added at the White County Parks and Recreation Gym.
During Monday’s White County Commission Meeting, the board heard from recreation director Kimberly McEntire who told the commissioners that in her two-and-a-half months on the job she’s heard constant complaints about the gym bleachers.
The commissioners agreed the bleachers are in some of their words “terrible”.
With new bleachers, McEntire said they could do more such as host some All-Star tournaments. The commissioners agreed to spend $32,105 dollars with H.E Hodge Company to install new telescopic bleachers at the facility.
According to McEntire, it would probably be April before the installation could take place, which is a slower use time for the gym facility.
The commissioners also discussed another issue with parks and rec – what to do with the pool at the park? Director McEntire and White County’s Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Deena Cowart shared with the board that it’s not cost-effective to open the pool this summer, because of so many issues, plus McEntire said, “It’s hard to find lifeguards.”
An option discussed was filling in the pool and making more pickleball courts. They could possibly use the pool restrooms after renovations, which would be a benefit for the pickleball courts.
McEntire suggested that in place of the pool they could install a splash pad water area.
After some discussion, the commissioners agreed to place this item on the agenda of an upcoming called meeting on February 17 for further discussion and give time for staff to obtain cost figures for the splash pad.
