Warner Robins sports complex estimated to cost $22 million

WARNER ROBINS -- A proposed sports complex in Warner Robins is estimated to cost $22 million.

A concept drawing was presented to the City Council at its pre-council meeting Monday. The plan calls for nine baseball fields and a 43,000-square-foot building with two basketball gyms and an indoor walking track.

Neil Clark, principal architect for Hecht Burdeshaw Architects of Columbus, which did the concept, gave the $22 million estimate. If the council OKs the project quickly, he said, it could be complete by June of 2018.

The next step for the council is to decide whether to give Clark the go ahead to develop full construction drawings for the project. The project could then be put out for bids.

"I think we've got something now that we can take a real honest look at and get some response from some of our citizens to see if this is the direction they want to go," said Mayor Randy Toms. "At the next meeting we can have a more educated discussion and see if this is what we want to do."

While no council members indicated they opposed moving forward, there were some questions, including how to finance the complex. The city has only $5 million allotted for it in the special purpose local option sales tax, so the rest would have to be borrowed.

Councilman Chuck Shaheen said the city should determine how it will be financed before moving forward. Councilman Tim Thomas said he would like to make development of football and soccer fields at other parks a part of the same financing.

"If we are going to do this, then we need to consider everything," Thomas said.

The expectation is that the complex would pay the cost of financing it by luring baseball and softball tournaments, while at the same time providing recreational opportunities for local citizens.

The complex would be built on 65 acres the city owns on Houston Road at Elberta Road, directly across from Houston Village, a shopping center anchored by Piggly Wiggly. Rick Halpern, who owns Houston Village, voiced support for the project during the citizen's comment portion of the regular council meeting.

He noted that Piggly Wiggly is now competing with the new Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market grocery store just down the street. Houston Village also has a Family Dollar.

"I see this project as giving us a fighting chance in that market," Halpern said. "Because if (Piggly Wiggly) goes, then Family Dollar is going, and then what for many years had been a major taxpayer, that property will now become a ghost town."

After the meeting he said he could envision a McDonald's and an ice cream shop going there if the complex is built.

Another citizen, Ansel Peck, urged the city to do a careful engineering review of the property to ensure it is suitable for the project. He said he knows the property well and believes drainage could be a significant issue.

To contact writer Wayne Crenshaw, call 256-9725.

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This story was originally published April 4, 2016 at 8:34 PM with the headline "Warner Robins sports complex estimated to cost $22 million ."