Warner Robins council delays decision on sports complex

WARNER ROBINS -- The City Council was set to make a big decision about a proposed $22 million sports complex Monday, but instead they put it off until the next meeting.

The portion of the agenda that deals with approval of bids had included a contract of about $1 million to design the complex, but the item was removed from the agenda prior to the meeting.

Mayor Randy Toms said after the meeting that council members wanted to study the proposal more before making a decision. He said he expects the topic will be on the agenda for the next council meeting May 2.

"The bottom line is, that is so much money that we all collectively decided to take a breath and spend another two weeks to make sure we are doing the right thing," Toms said after the meeting.

At the council's last meeting, Hecht Burdeshaw Architects of Columbus presented a concept for the park. The plan included nine baseball/softball fields and a 43,000-square-foot building with two basketball gyms and an indoor walking track.

Community reaction online was varied. Some thought the plan should include football fields, some wanted volleyball courts and some wanted a pool for competitive swimming, among other suggestions.

Toms said he thinks the council can come to a consensus, because the sports complex is not the only recreation project the city is planning. The other amenities that don't make it into the sports complex design can be added to other parks, he said.

"That's some of the areas we want to look at, is what is the best way to move forward," he said.

To contact writer Wayne Crenshaw, call 256-9725.

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This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 7:24 PM with the headline "Warner Robins council delays decision on sports complex ."