County offers options for outdoor gatherings

Columbia County residents planning an outdoors event now have the option of renting the new picnic pavilion at Memorial Gardens.

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Sandy Boner, manager of the county's rental facilities and venues department, said she wanted to provide clients with an exclusive use of the structure, which covers two picnic tables and three benches. The pavilion is situated near two playgrounds and a new zero-depth water feature.

The hourly rate is set at $15 with a refundable $25 per hour cleanup fee.

Having the ability to rent the pavilion will help people plan events there, Boner said.

"If you plan a birthday party and two weeks later you get there and someone else is using it, you have no authority to ask them to leave," she said.

Boner's department also has received County Commission approval for changes to meeting rates at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center and the four adjacent meeting rooms.

The rates for the facility inside the Columbia County Library were set nearly four years ago, and operation costs have increased since then, said Boner, adding that rental discounts are offered to nonprofit organizations.

"We don't want to raise the rates excessively, but we've got to at least cover our costs," said Boner, whose department also handles rentals for Savannah Rapids Pavilion, Columbia County Amphitheater, Memorial Gardens, Evans Town Center Field, Eubank Blanchard Community Center and buildings at the Augusta Canal Headgates.

Meeting rooms located downstairs at the Columbia County Library are handled by library personnel, said Boner, adding that only nonprofit groups are allowed to use the rooms free.

Also, a nine-hour rental rate is now availabe at Savannah Rapids Pavilion in addition to the six-hour and 12-hour rates.

"It's creating another option for our clients," she said.

Additionally, an annual membership program for residents is now offered at Reed Creek Wetlands Park, and new rental fees have been implemented.

The Martinez building was previously rented through the county's rental facilities and venues department, said Recreation Department Manager Charlie Beale.

"We needed to adjust the rates a little bit," he said.

"We can only rent that (facility) during the time that we don't have anything going on. It's not as available as Savannah Rapids."

New rental rates of $25 per hour from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. and $30 per hour from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. have been implemented.

Annual park membership fees cost $50 for families, $25 for adults and $10 for children. Birthday parties at the park also are now offered for both members and nonmembers.