Warner Robins hears second plan for sports complex

The City Council on Monday heard a second proposal for a sports complex with an estimated cost $3.3 million less than a previous concept.

In the pre-council meeting, JMA Architecture and Ocmulgee Inc., both of Perry, presented a concept that estimated to cost $18.7 million. It called for nine baseball fields and a 43,000-square-foot building with two basketball gyms.

Those are the same core features found in an earlier concept presented by Hecht Burdeshaw Architects of Columbus, but that plan was estimated at $22 million.

The city won’t actually know what either concept would cost until it gets a builder with an agreed upon price.

Mayor Randy Toms said after the meeting that the next step for the council would be to decide which architect firm would do the complete design. The council had been set to vote on the proposal by Hecht Burdeshaw, but JMA asked for a chance at the project.

Jim Mehserle, managing officer of JMA, told the council the company has designed similar sports complexes. JMA also designed the Little League Southeastern Region ballfield in Warner Robins.

Councilman Mike Davis, who has been pushing for the complex, told Mehserle he turned to Hecht Burdeshaw for the concept because of that company’s extensive experience in sports complex design. Davis said he had not been aware that JMA also had substantial experience in that area and he was happy to consider a local company for the job.

The complex would go on 65 acres the city owns across from the Piggly Wiggly on North Houston Road.

The price of the complex, its location and its features have drawn some criticism, but some council members expressed a desire to move forward.

“There are ways to cut costs and do some things modestly,” said Councilman Keith Lauritsen. “But I think we’ve got to do something. We have neglected recreation for 40 years.”

He added that the city has plans beyond the complex that would address other sports such as football and soccer.

One feature in the Hecht Burdeshaw plan that isn’t in the JMA plan is a walking trail around a wetland area in the tract. Mehserle said JMA’s plan does have a long series for connecting sidewalks which would serve the same purpose.

This story was originally published May 2, 2016 at 7:53 PM with the headline "Warner Robins hears second plan for sports complex."