By Sarah Cook

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — A letter of intent to begin constructing a public swimming pool, among other proposals, made a big splash Tuesday at the Natchez Board of Alderman meeting.

The letter, proposed by Kevin Preston of the Magnolia Bluffs Casino Community Development Fund, called for immediate construction of a junior Olympic-size pool and two soccer fields.

This construction would be the first phase of a Natchez-Adams County Recreation Complex.

The letter also included a proposed new recreation board, which would receive an annual budget funded by the city and Adams County for salaries, fees and general upkeep for recreation.

Natchez Mayor Butch Brown said he was “completely blindsided” by the proposal.

“The county and the city has never had a joint meeting to discuss the funding of a recreation board that would be independently operated by an appointed membership,” Brown said. “Apparently, some deal was couched about this recreation panel unbeknownst to me and the rest of the board.”

Ward 3 Alderwoman Sarah Carter Smith echoed Brown’s concerns and said more discussion is needed to move forward with a recreation board.

“This is taxpayer money, so I don’t approach it lightly,” she said.

The letter of intent stipulates, the city would fund $500,000 toward pool construction with $100,000 appropriated annually for 10 years exclusively for recreation improvements.

“We embrace the concept of (the letter) but we’re not ready to move forward with a long-term plan until everything is properly discussed,” Brown said.

By endorsing the letter of intent, Brown said the board or alderman has essentially agreed to look at the proposed ideas, but no immediate action will be taken.

Before creating any kind of recreation board or committee, Brown said it is crucial the city define what qualifies as recreation.

“Like the parks along the bluff, I don’t think that’s a part of recreation, but if it is, then that group has to take care of those trails — and we have a lot of trails,” Brown said.

Aldermen Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, James “Ricky” Gray, Tony Fields and Dan Dillard voted yes to move forward with the plan, while Sarah Carter Smith and Mark Fortenbery gave adamant no votes.

Brown said the board plans to meet sometime early March to further discuss the proposal made Tuesday.

“This is only a letter of intent. Quite frankly, we don’t know if this is going to happen or not,” he said. “I intend to make this thing get discussed thoroughly before anything takes place.”