Construction continues on Henry County’s newest recreation center at Mt. Carmel Park. Here is the latest update on the new recreation center, aquatic center and other capital projects within the county. Staff shared these updates at the October 1, 2024 board meeting.
Mt Carmel Recreation Center Construction
Henry County broke ground on its new recreation center in December 2023. The building is located at North Mt. Carmel Park in Hampton. When complete, the venue will offer two basketball courts, a fitness area and multi-purpose rooms. The project’s completion date is February 2025.
Cooper & Company of Cumming, GA is the project’s general contractor. The $16.8 million dollar project is paid for by SPLOST V. At this time, the project is ahead of schedule and under budget, according to county officials.
Aquatic Center Construction
Another parks & recreation project is similarly under construction. The new aquatic center & outdoor water park are also part of SPLOST V. Construction started in March 2024 on the $53 million dollar venue. It is located off Henry Parkway Connector in McDonough.
The new venue has been described as unlike any other aquatic center in metro Atlanta. Major elements include an indoor competition swimming pool, indoor therapy pool and outdoor water park. The water park will have a lazy river, surf wave rider, activity pool and other water features / slides. Finally, there is an upstairs rooftop terrace and two outdoor video screens. Site work includes two new parking lots and a new road to access the venue.
The project contractor is Integrated Construction and Nobility, Inc. of Carrolton, GA. The project’s pool builder is Aqua Design Systems, Inc. of Fayetteville, GA. The estimated completion date is May 2026.
Emergency Management & E-911 Building
In addition, Henry County shared updates about several other upcoming public safety projects. First up was the new emergency management & E-911 building. It will be off Industrial Parkway in McDonough.
The new building will be two stories. The E-911 center will occupy the upstairs. Meanwhile, the county’s emergency management department will have office space downstairs. The new facility will be wind & impact resistant to better protect the building during severe weather. This has been a concern at the current E-911 center.
The building design is presently underway. The design is said to be 65% complete. The county estimates the project will be complete in spring 2027.
Within the immediate vicinity of the new E-911 building, there will be a new storage building. It will offer bays for vehicle maintenance, such as radio equipment, as well. The building will be 10,500 square feet.
Next, the fire department will see a new training classroom. The classroom will accompany their new burn building. All of this work is part of the plan for a new public safety training campus. The county is converting the former Cotton Fields Golf Course into the public safety campus.
The county did not share cost estimates for these projects.
Judicial Annex
Finally, Henry County will be renovating the former BB&T Bank building in downtown McDonough. It will house Probate Court and the District Attorney’s office when complete. The county purchased the building in November 2022. They subsequently hired an architect in February 2023.
The county will be renovating the building, as well as adding onto it. Design & interior demolition are complete. The next step before construction can commence is to secure funding for its build-out.
Featured image shows construction progress at Mt Carmel Recreation Center. Henry County photo.
