Pavilion facilities expand
Dignitaries from Columbia and Richmond counties turned out Thursday to celebrate the Lockkeeper's Cottage ribbon cutting at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion.
Back
Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold, made up of family members Ricie and Patrick Eubanks (from left) and their daughter, Eryn Eubanks, performed on the dance pavilion at the opening ceremony for the newly renovated buildings at the canal headgates.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The event marked the end of a construction project that began a year ago and included renovations of the cottage, dance pavilion, dining hall and barbecue pit at the site along the Augusta Canal.
Both county governments have collaborated to turn the area into a tourist attraction. The Lockkeeper's Cottage now serves as the Savannah Rapids Visitor Center.
"This is my favorite playground," Augusta Commissioner Andy Cheeks said, recalling childhood memories.
Cheeks called the project a joint venture between Augusta and Columbia County that has created a recreation area that is "the most beautiful in the state, the Southeast, and, I think, in the world."
Construction crews arrived in July 2003 to begin the $831,000 renovation project. A $742,000 state Department of Transportation grant paid for most of the work with the rest of the funds coming from the county's 1-cent sales tax.
The second phase of construction, which includes a pedestrian bridge spanning the canal, streetlights and additional parking lots, begins soon, Columbia County Community Center Manager Sandy Boner said. Renovations on the canal headgates is currently underway.
The cost of the phase two construction is $600,000 with DOT again picking up most of the tab through a $500,000 grant.
"It's been a long road to get here," Boner said.
"(My staff and I) have seen the renovations taking place each day, and it's thrilled us. People who come out here ... tell us all the time that they are amazed at how nice the place looks."
Officials from both Richmond and Columbia counties gathered at the Lockkeepers Cottage for a ceremony to officially reopen the facilities at the canal headgates.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
County leisure services officials reopened the dance pavilion, barbecue pit and dining shed for public use last month.
The public can rent all three facilities for $225 a day, the dance pavilion by itself for $150 or the dining shed and barbecue pit for $100.
Following Thursday's ribbon cutting, the Lockkeeper's Cottage will serve as Columbia County's only official welcome center.
The building holds public restrooms, a media room, offices, a small museum and a bedroom decorated in antique furniture from the same period the cottage was built, circa 1900.
"I'm overcome by what's been done out here," former DOT board member Jimmy Lester said. "I think the canal is one of the best tourist advantages we have in this area."
Columbia County Administrator Steve Szablewski said the project was a daunting task during the initial planning stages but worth the effort.
"I think you have to dream big," he said. "If you don't, you'll never have anything wonderful."
Kathy Williams and her grandson, David Williams, 11, enjoy the view of the canal from the porch of the Lockkeepers Cottage
during the opening
ceremony for the renovated buildings at the canal headgates.
Photo by Jim Blaylock