Water slides. A lazy river. All in Lumpkin County.
This long awaited goal became a reality last weekend when the Pinetree Recreation Center opened its doors to the public.
A large crowd of local citizens of all ages showed up to celebrate the occasion—some getting their first look inside of the expansive $12.9 million facility.
Although at first the weather didn’t cooperate with those who were ready to swim Saturday morning, the sun eventually warmed the afternoon and folks jumped right in.
Pinetree Recreation Center Manager Jared Ray said that enthusiasm is high for the opening of the new aquatic facilities.
“We have heard from the kids that they are especially excited about the water slides,” Ray told The Nugget. “Families are happy to have this center to bring children to.”
A steady stream of visitors enjoyed the new facility during the Memorial Day weekend, as 1,198 people visit the water park from Saturday through Monday, according to Ray.
County Manager Alan Ours observed that the rain on Saturday and Monday may have affected the numbers.
“Although the weather may have kept a few away,” Ours said, “the turnout was very good for the first weekend.”
Ours added that lifeguards are being hired right now, with starting pay at $14 per hour.
Anyone interested can visit the website at lumpkincounty.gov and go to the bottom and click on “Jobs.”
Greg Trammell, Assistant Superintendent of Operations for Lumpkin County Schools, told The Nugget this new pool and recreation center was an idea which originated alongside the start of the new Cottrell Elementary School plan.
“This was one design from the very beginning,” he said.
Trammell said he has served as a go-between to help the school system and the Board of Commissioners work together.
“In 2017 we started with the idea for this, but COVID slowed us down a bit,” Trammell added.
Once the [inside] aquatic center idea fell through—because the cost would have been too high—they switched gears to include the gym and the pickleball courts, he added.
CUTTING THE RIBBON
Chris Dockery, the Lumpkin County BOC Chairman, began the proceedings by thanking his fellow Commissioners who were present, including Tucker Greene, Jeff Moran, and Dr. Bobby Mayfield (Rhett Stringer was unable to attend).
I say it with all sincerity—this Board of Commissioners is amazing,” Dockery said.
He also thanked Trammell, Carroll Daniel Construction, and Lumpkin County Special Projects Director Ashley Peck for their contributions.
Dockery told the crowd that Alan Ours and Rebecca Shirley were both instrumental for pushing the project forward.
He then asked people in the crowd to raise their hands if they were there to play pickleball.
This request was immediately met with an enthusiastic cheer from dozens of attendees.
Dockery thanked local pickleball ambassador Deede Formica, who he called “very persistent,” and added that, “that’s a good thing.”
“And for our new lifeguards, I’m asking all of us to give these kids the respect they deserve,” he told everyone, “because without them there would be no swimming.”
Lastly, Dockery thanked State Senator Steve Gooch and reminded everyone that the Georgia General Assembly Majority Leader used to be Lumpkin’s Sole Commissioner.
“He has a heart for Lumpkin County,” Dockery said. “He does so much to help our community.”
READY TO SPLASH
The center includes a double-size gym that can be used for basketball, volleyball, or pickleball, meeting rooms, and six outdoor pickleball courts.
Water facilities include an eight-lane competition pool, a splash pad water play area, two water slides and a lazy river.
The new pools are open every day of the week.
Generally, the competition pool will be open 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for lap swimming, and swim lessons Monday through Saturday. Ray said this could also include water exercises in the future.
Monday through Thursday, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., there is open swimming in the water park, lazy river, water slides and competition pool. This is extended to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The Parks & Rec swimming team has practice Monday through Thursday, between 6 and 8 p.m.
On Sunday, there is open swimming in the water park, lazy river, water slides and competition pool between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Ray said that anyone looking for information about the new recreation center should visit the County’s website at lumpkincounty.gov and look under the “Government” tab at the top, then under “Departments” and “Pinetree Recreation Center.”
For more information call the County at 706-864-8080.