Henry County has approved plans to upgrade the entrance at North Mt. Carmel Park. The upgrade coincides with the upcoming opening of a new recreation center. The recreation center is set to open in spring 2025.
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North Mt Carmel Park Entrance
North Mt. Carmel Park is located off North Mt Carmel Road in Hampton. The county is building a new recreation center at the park. The 36,706 square foot venue is nearly complete. The new facility offers basketball courts, a fitness area and multi-purpose rooms. Construction costs are $15.5 million dollars, paid for by SPLOST V.
Right now, the existing park entrance is a narrow two-lane road. In addition, there are no turn lanes off North Mt. Carmel into the park. The proposed park entrance improvements will address this. The project will add a left-hand turn lane and right-hand decel lane into the park. It will also widen the exit to provide both left and right-hand turn lanes when leaving the park.
The board approved a project change order on November 19, 2024 for the entrance upgrade. Cooper & Company, the recreation center general contractor, will perform the work. It will cost $634,003. The county will use district 5 impact fees to pay for it. Cooper & Company expects to complete the new entrance in time for the recreation center’s opening. This will be around March 2025.
The board’s vote for the park entrance upgrade was unanimous (6-0).
Road Speed Limit
In addition, Henry County approved lowering the speed limit on North Mt Carmel Road. The county DOT will be lowering the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph. This approval was also on November 19.
Recreation Center Workout Equipment
Earlier in November, the board approved purchasing workout equipment for the new venue. That vote was at the November 5 meeting.
The workout equipment is from Ready Fitness. The equipment cost $162,145.49 for 45 fitness stations. The company will deliver, assemble and install the fitness stations. SPLOST V funds paid for the purchase.
Featured image shows North Mt Carmel Park entrance upgrade plan. Henry County photo. [/mepr-show]
