By Sarah Stephens – Elmore Autauga News
Graphics provided by Elmore County
ELMORE COUNTY – Big quality-of-life improvements are planned for Eclectic, Holtville and Tallassee within Elmore County.
Monday night the Elmore County Commission took a big step forward in making these become reality. The Commission members praised the great partnerships they enjoy with individual towns and cities, the Elmore County School Board and the Elmore County Economic Development Authority to make these projects possible.
“Months back our partners in each of these three communities were asked to bring together a group of community citizens to discuss the recreational needs of their community with the plans for all three projects being scaled to citizens desires and our partners ability to fund, manage and maintain each new facility,” Commission Chairman Bart Mercer told the EAN.
“The Quality-of-Life projects are funded by the levelized lodging tax. This is a transient tax that is collected when people rent hotel rooms in Elmore County. We collect a lodging tax plus a room fee,” Mercer explained. “Those funds are dedicated specifically to economic development within the county. We cannot use these funds for salaries, or to pave roads. This commission has chosen to invest these dollars in projects that will perpetually create benefits for citizens. This has been a priority for that funding because it gives citizens areas for recreational purposes. We can also use the facilities to bring in different events to the county to boost our economy. Not just one time but rather a long-term benefit.
“By us having these projects across county it will give us the sporting facilities with the capacity to bring in very large sporting events. We say multiple times we like it when people come to visit Elmore County. They stay for a few days, leave their money, and go home. Our citizens get to enjoy nice facilities throughout the week.”
Monday commission members authorized Chairman Mercer to execute project agreements with the Elmore County Board of Education, Town of Eclectic, City of Tallassee, Tallassee City Schools, and ECEDA for the planned Quality of Life Phase II improvements.
Phase I included improvements to Hohenberg Field in Wetumpka and the commission’s partnership with the 17 Springs project in Millbrook.
Commissioners also authorized Chairman Mercer and/or Chief Operating Officer to execute agreements with Dalhoff Thomas and Seay Seay Litchfield to handle the design and construction of the improvements.
Here is what the Master Plan for Phase II projects entails at this time.
Holtville: Priority 1 is a multipurpose turf field conversion in the stadium. The cost is $2 million with the commission covering the cost. The timeline is 12-18 months.
Priority II is a multipurpose turf field conversion for baseball and softball. The cost is $2.5 million with the commission providing the funds. The timeline is 12-18 months.
Priority III is the addition of batting cages and pavilion. The cost is $1 million with the commission providing $500,000 and the remainder to be determined.
Priority IV is a multipurpose walking path and trail at a cost of $1 million. The commission will invest $500,000 with the remainder to be determined. The timeline is 24-36 months.
All other improvements on the graphic have a timeline of five years or more.
Eclectic: The priority of the Eclectic project is a multipurpose turf field conversion in the stadium at a cost of $2 million. The commission covers the financial expense. It is projected this project will take 12-18 months.
Priority II is a multipurpose turf field conversion for the baseball and softball areas at a cost of $2.5 million. The commission is providing the funds. The timeline is 12-18 months.
Priority III is construction of Loop Road and parking to serve grass recreation area at a cost of $1.5 million. The commission is investing $500,000. The timeline for this project is 12-18 months.
Priority IV is construction of a grass recreation area. The county will construct with county forces and county donated materials. The timeline for this project is 24-36 months.
Priority V involves safety and security improvements and relocation/addition of restrooms and concession amenities in baseball and north stadium concourse. The cost is $2 million, and the funding is to be determined. The timeline for this project is 24 to 36 months.
Priority VI is the improvement to walking paths and trails. The cost for the project is $1.5 million with funding to be determined. The Town of Eclectic is filing for a grant. The timeline for this project is 24 to 36 months.
For Priority VI, much will depend on a grant.
All other improvements shown on the graphic for Eclectic have a timeline of five years or more.
Tallassee: Priority I is a multipurpose turf field conversion in stadium and practice area at a cost of $2.5 million. The funding will come from the commission, and it has a timeline of 12-18 months.
Priority II is reconstruction of Tallassee Community Center at a cost of $10 million. The commission will invest $7.5 million with the remainder to be determined. The timeline is 24 to 36 months.
Priority III – The construction of a Splash Pad at a cost of $1 million with funding to be determined. The timeline is 24 to 36 months.
Priority IV: Competition track construction at Tallassee Elementary School at a cost of $2 million. Funding is to be determined. The project timeline is 24-48 months.
Priority V: Walking trails to be constructed at a cost of $1 million, with funding to be determined. The timeline is 36-60 months.
