The idea for creating a recreation advisory committee was initiated by Commissioner Randolph Collins at the Oct. 20 commission meeting. But the discussion ended as it began, with no conclusion reached.

Collins began the conversation by saying he believed there was a need for an advisory committee to make recommendations to the commission and asked what others on the board thought of the idea.

“The key is to get community input and more in-depth discussion,” Collins said.

First to weigh in was Commissioner Tim Lassetter, who said such a committee would need to know their role was advisory only, adding that 95 percent of the issues with recreation would be resolved if the county had more facilities.

“Ecos looked at Madras and brought a proposal,” Lassetter said. “I think that’s the next step, even though we don’t have the money right now.”

Lassetter questioned whether the committee would be limited and, consequently, somewhat demoralized due to a lack of funding money.

“My feeling is that we owe it to the people to provide recreation services to them first and then to traveling teams,” Lassetter added.

Also weighing in was Commissioner Al Smith who suggested that county recreation staff might be included if a committee was formed.

“Some of the recreation people might think we’re trying to usurp their power,” Smith said.

Collins responded, saying that the committee would be advisory only and adding that, “the recreation department works for us and we work for the people.”

Smith then suggested, and Collins agreed, that a representative of the recreation department be appointed to serve on such a committee.

“I think a committee will help us go in the direction we need to go,” Collins added.

At that point Commission Chairman Paul Poole gave his opinion.

“I think we’ve done everything humanly we can. We all want more parks but we don’t have the money. We have the Madras property but we don’t have the funds to do it. The problem is just sheer funds,” Poole said. “Maybe the next (1-cent sales tax) can go for recreation and the jail expansion.”

Collins said he agreed with that idea. Poole then suggested that a committee could be formed as the current 1-cent sales tax gets closer to its expiration in 2012.

“That would allow public input at a new level,” Collins said in agreement.

Also commenting on the topic, Commissioner Rodney Brooks said he liked the idea of a recreation committee, suggesting that a “trial board” could be formed for a one-year period. Brooks said he agreed with Collins’ earlier suggestion that the committee could have a representative from both the recreation department and the school system.

“I don’t think the committee would have too much authority. Kids and money are touchy subjects. I like the idea of an advisory committee appointed for one year at a time,” Brooks said.

As the discussion wound down, Lassetter noted that the county had opened a recreation facility in Grantville earlier in the year.

“We’d love for our kids’ recreation dreams to come true,” Lassetter continued. “Maybe a couple of us could meet with school board members to see if they have property we could utilize before forming an advisory committee. I’m not saying I would vote against the committee, I’m just saying we should look at the other first.”

The discussion ended at that point, with Collins saying he felt like, “this is a battle.”

Poole responded, saying it was not a battle.

Coweta County Commission in December 2008 approved an Ecos Environmental Design, Inc. report on the proposed 40.7-acre Madras recreation site located in northeast Coweta that calls for both active and passive recreation amenities. The Madras Recreation Needs Assessment will become a component of an upcoming master recreation plan. The county-owned site is located along Hal Jones Road just south of Frank Cook Road.

“It is recommended that Coweta County continue to add facilities throughout the county as conditions allow,” Ecos representative Matt Wilder said in the report. “Recommendations for the Madras property are based on the immediate needs recognized by the Parks & Recreation Department staff and are supported by the findings of the recreation needs assessment.”

The Ecos assessment accounted for the county’s current population, projected growth, available recreation venues and projected recreation needs. The report included 4 recommendations for the Madras site. Those included utilizing the acreage for football and soccer, baseball/softball facilities, providing passive recreation amenities such as pavilions and walking/jogging trails and a future gym and tennis center.

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