New pool, pickleball and Rec Center on the way

The new Pinetree Recreation Center made a splash last Friday as its doors were finally opened for an informal tour with local leaders. The new $12.9 million facility will hold an official grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on May 25.
Last week members of the Dahlonega City Council, the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners, representatives from the University of North Georgia and Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard were among those in attendance for the sneak peek tour of the Pinetree Recreation Center.
“We wanted to invite a small group of community leaders and partners in this project to have a first glance,” said Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Dockery. “We also have some dignitaries from our surrounding counties, White County and Union County, just to brag a little bit.”
When one looks at the host of amenities that the new recreation center holds, it's apparent that bragging rights are in order.
The recreation center boasts a 26,000 square foot gymnasium with two full-size basketball courts that can double as four inside pickle ball courts or two volleyball courts, six lighted outside pickleball courts, an eight lane competition outdoor swimming pool, an outdoor waterpark with two slides, a lazy river and an aquatic playground and splash pad. The facility also offers a meeting/conference room, two party rooms and will cater to those looking to rent the space for large events.

‘NEW MEMORIES’

Carroll Daniel Construction, located in Gainesville, was praised for its ability to complete the project in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
“Carroll Daniel built a building that will last for future generations on time and on budget,” said Lumpkin County manager Alan Ours. “Their team has done phenomenal work.”
Carroll Daniel Construction's project executive Brandon Harmon thanked the board of commissioners for giving them the opportunity to build the recreation center project.
“We're committed to delivering quality projects that withstand the test of time,” said Harmon. “We certainly appreciate the board of commissioners for putting their faith in us. Their collaboration has been essential to the success of this project.”
Ours believes that the center will allow generations of Lumpkin County residents the opportunity to make memories while enjoying all the facility has to offer.
“Since I've been in Lumpkin County, I have heard many people share stories of their experience at the old American Legion pool,” Ours said. “The stories I heard were wonderful, and these stories have lasted through generations. These stories made memories. That's our hope with this facility. Our hope is that new memories will be created at Pinetree that will be shared with future generations and that Pinetree will be the cool place to be during the summer and a fun place to be year round.”

ON THE BUDGET

Although the facility lacks an indoor swimming pool, the outdoor pool was specifically designed to allow a pool enclosure to be fitted onto it in the off season, according to County Commissioner Bobby Mayfield.
“It was constructed in a way that we can add a pool enclosure to make it an indoor pool area during the winter time,” said Mayfield. “The enclosures are expensive, so it didn't fit in with our budget for the project. But, there is an opportunity for one to be easily installed in the future if and when we can find the funds for it.”
Originally slated to be an indoor aquatic center the board of commissioners opted to build a recreation center with water features based on the price tag that would have come with the construction of the original aquatic center design and the belief that a new recreation center would better suit the needs of all Lumpkin County residents.
“An aquatic center would have been wonderful,” Ours said. “But, what you have now is a facility that is going to meet the needs of the community more than an aquatic center would have. When you see the facility, I think you'll agree that the board of commissioners got it right.”