County may seek grant for arena

The idea of having an arena in Columbia County moved another step forward Monday at a county committee meeting as county commission members were favorable toward a request to seek grant money for a feasibility study.

"I have no problem with pursuing a grant,'' Commissioner Lee Anderson said at the meeting.

Chairman Ron Cross agreed.

"I think we should put it on the debate agenda at the next meeting,'' he said.

That meeting of the full commission will occur Tuesday.

The proposal, presented by County Administrator Steve Szablewski at the county's management and financial services committee meeting, asked county officials for approval to apply for a grant for a study that would determine how feasible an arena would be for the county.

"We could see if we get the money before we spend a nickel,'' Szablewski said.

Already, a committee comprised of citizens and county officials has determined that an arena is desirable in the county.

Szablewski told committee members that the size of the arena being considered would be about twice the size of the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center.