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The county has been pushing plans ahead to bring the William J. Griggs Recreation Center some much-needed renovations.

With the Troup County Board of Commissioners’ approval Tuesday night to choose Torrance, a LaGrange-based construction company as the construction manager for the project, the project is closer to seeing those renovations become a reality. 

Torrance was chosen by a point system by a seven-person committee consisting of county and Griggs center employees, explained, Jay Anderson, community development director for Troup County. Columbus-based Freemen and Associates were tied with Torrance in terms of points for the project, and LaGrange-based Sheridan Construction was in third place. Torrance ultimately won out due to financial and reputational aspects, Anderson said.

“It was a hard [choice], even our committee was split at 5-2 on who should be the number one person,” he said.

Batson Cook Company, J&R Construction and Development, MEJA Construction and River City Construction Inc. were other possible choices for the project.

The groundbreaking for the first phase of the project is set for spring 2022 with a completion date of spring 2023, Anderson said.

Phase I of the project will involve expansion of the facility by adding an additional gymnasium, creating new study rooms, computer rooms, an exercise room and expanding parking opportunities that will eliminate on-street parking.

In August, the Callaway Foundation, Inc. approved the contribution of a $2 million matching grant for Phase I of this project on the grounds that the county and city of LaGrange each provide a match of $1 million each, securing a $4 million budget for the project.

Phase II will involve installing a new zero-entry swimming pool with a slide and an area for lap-swimming and Phase III will involve enhancing the facility’s tennis courts. According to county documents, a not yet budgeted Phase IV, will include the construction of an amphitheater.

Phase II and II of the project will cost $3.25 million and $1.25 million, respectively.

The county has applied for funds through the American Rescue Plan Act for the next two phases, County Manager Eric Mosley said.