Getting city recreation facilities ready for Lake Lanier

GAINESVILLE - With lake Lanier's level now steadily rising because of recent rains, Gainesville City Council Thursday agreed to look at sprucing up the Olympic venue at Clarks Bridge Park.

Council members heard a proposal from Councilman Bob Hamrick that now is the time to look at enhancing the venue and also do an improvement inventory of all the city's recreation facilities; Gainesville co-manages the venue with Hall County.

"We're seeing renewed interest in the use at the Venue site," Hamrick said. "We
have many other sites that provide recreational opportunities here in our city."
"Let's see which ones contribute the maximum and then look at funding the enhancement of those sites."

Hamrick added the Allen Creek Soccer complex, Lanier Point baseball and softball complex, the Frances Meadows Center, and Chattahoochee Golf Course are all tourist and recreation attractions that could be considered.

Hamrick said he hopes Lake Lanier will attract more visitors to Gainesville now that it is approaching its full pool water level as it recovers from the drought.