Residents enthusiastic about recreational complex
Published Saturday, September 22, 2007
NATCHEZ — Natchez and Adams County residents involved in recreation are generally enthusiastic about the city’s proposed recreational complex, but some aren’t sure how the project will come about.
All agree that any steps toward the proposed $15 million project should involve public input.
Natchez Mayor Phillip West has suggested the city and county hire consultants to look into what might be built, where it could be located and how much it would cost.
Photo by Marcus Frazier
Dimarco Johnson, 18, and Sylvester Williams, 18, play a game of basketball Friday afternoon at Concord Avenue Park. The City of Natchez is in the process of making plans for a multi-sport recreational complex that could cost up to $15 million.
Jo Eidt, member of the Natchez Recreation Council and county supervisor candidate, headed the 2003 council that worked toward a recreation complex.
“As chairman of the joint city/county/school district board, we worked real hard with citizens to get their input,” Eidt said. “We did a lot of groundwork, spent a lot of time to see where the needs in the community were.”
The commission was at the point of looking for funding to hire architectural and engineering consultants for the project when the International Paper mill closed, and the project dissolved.
Eidt said he thought a similar process could work this time, using knowledgeable local individuals to research what was needed and where the complex could be built.
“I think some of this work can be done in-house by a committee, a group dedicated to recreation,” Eidt said.
That would save some money, he said. Eventually, though, landscape and recreation architects would have to be hired.
“You’re going to have to have an expert to design these facilities when it comes to that point,” he said.
Overall, recreation needs to be addressed, he said.
“It’s not a new issue,” he said. “Money always puts recreation back toward the bottom. It’s time, in my opinion, that recreation rises to the top of the list.”
David Carter, extension service director and member of the county recreation commission, said he absolutely supported recreation.
“The city needs it, and it would be an economic booster for the community,” Carter said. “I think the ideas are awesome. As for how it’s going to happen, I haven’t been on that side of it that much.”
Whether or not the city decides to hire a consultant, community input should be an essential part of the process, he said.
“(The proposed) $100,000 is a lot for a consultant, but I guess that’s what they run today,” Carter said. “The question is, do we need one? That’s not my position to say.”
Faye Minor, a member of the committee that tackled the previous plan, said she was completely in favor of the proposed recreation plan.
“I think it’s a really great plan,” Minor said. “It’s a program that should have been in place years ago. I think the mayor (who proposed the plan) is making a good move and a bold move on recreation facilities.”
Director of the Boys and Girls Club, Minor said she felt recreation was one of the most important things the city could address.
“It’s great for kids to have something to do,” Minor said. “I think anything that will give kids more opportunity to participate, I’m all for it. I think we’re long overdue.”