Latest Schedule Would See Aquatic Center Open By New Year’s 2025 

The latest schedule update for the Henry County Aquatic Center estimates the venue will open by New Year’s 2025. The county previously was targeting Memorial Day 2024 to finish the project.

Henry County staff updated the board of commissioners on Tuesday, March 7, with the latest news for the project. Staff anticipates placing the project out for construction bids this spring.

Aquatic Center Schedule Update

Henry County voters in 2019 approved the SPLOST V program. It included funds to build the county’s first aquatic center. The board spent two years considering different locations where to build it. In April 2022, they selected county-owned land at Cotton Fields Golf Course in McDonough. At the same time, they awarded an architectural design contract for the venue.

On Tuesday morning, March 7, Parks & Recreation Director JP Penn provided the commissioners with the latest project update. At this time, the project design is undergoing its final round of reviews. Henry County anticipates placing the project out for construction bids in April. Contractors’ proposals will be due in May. Staff then review the proposals before presenting the project in mid-June for the board to consider awarding a contract. Under this timeline, construction would begin in July. The selected contractor will have 540 days to complete the work. This would complete the venue by New Year’s 2025.

During Tuesday’s update, staff also shared the final site plan. It reflects one more change in site location than earlier concept plans. The new venue will be off the backside of the golf course. This means vehicle access will be via Henry Parkway Connector. Previous concepts considered using the golf course’s existing entrance off Industrial Blvd.

Henry Parkway Connector is a four-lane road, compared to two lanes on Industrial Blvd. This will provide better ingress and egress to the site. By the time the aquatic center opens, McDonough Parkway should be open between Georgia 20 and Henry Parkway. This new road — alongside the concurrent Georgia 20 widening — will provide a four-lane road from I-75 to the aquatic center.

Finally, the new location creates less disruption to golf course operations. By building off Henry Parkway, it prevents the need to build a new clubhouse, golf cart barn and maintenance shed. This ultimately saves taxpayers’ dollars.

Fairways at Cotton Fields Subdivision

Residents of the adjacent subdivision spoke during the last board meeting concerned about the project. Specifically, they were opposed to the county building a new parking lot next to their homes. County staff addressed their concerns during the Tuesday meeting.

There exists now a buffer of mature trees between the subdivision and golf course. Staff expressed this buffer would not be disturbed. This buffer measures about fifty feet in width. In addition, there will be additional landscaping around the parking lot. Finally, the parking lot will have a center water fountain.

Featured image shows latest aquatic center site plan as of March 2023. Henry County photo.