Natchez-Adams County pool improvements move forward with board approval

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Adams County supervisors Monday approved the enhancements county and city officials are planning for heating the community swimming pool and installing other accessories.

The county board was divided on whether to move forward with the project, as three members favor upgrading Natchez-Adams County’s newest recreational asset while two supervisors argued this will be at the expense of other park facilities that are further deteriorating. Supervisors Angela Hutchins, Ricky Gray and Warren Gaines voted for the pool improvements while Wes Middleton and Kevin Wilson were against.

Installing a pool heater, insulation cover, a deck, lockers and other improvements has been estimated to cost about $345,000. The state Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is paying 50 percent of the costs while the city and county boards are paying the rest. The county’s share is estimated to be about $85,000.

The Natchez Board of Aldermen last week voted 4-2 to provide the city’s share of funds after deciding last year to stall the project amid financial uncertainties during the COVID crisis.

The aquatic center at Liberty Park opened in June 2018, giving Natchez-Adams County its first public swimming pool since the one at Duncan Park closed in 2001. The city and county jointly funded the pool’s $1.3 million construction and now share the costs of operating it.

In other matters at Monday’s county board meeting, supervisors:

– Delayed a decision to help fund a shrine honoring Natchez sports teams that have won state championships in years past. A proposal has been presented to city and county officials to establish a “Championship Row”of banners at Liberty Park by Chester Willis Ballfield and the Adams County Safe Room.

– Were told health-care charges in COVID-ravaged 2020 totaled about $5.4 million for county employees, who are covered by the county-paid health insurance plan. “It’s been a very challenging year in terms of costs,” insurance agent Fred Parker told the board.