Photo of a competitive swimmer in a pool lane (Pexels photo)

Henry County has taken an early step towards the future aquatic center by hiring an aquatic consultant to guide the design and construction process. The contract is below $50,000 and therefore did not require board approval.

Bob McCallister LLC was selected for the services at a cost of $49,000. McCallister was the Aquatics Manager for Cobb County from 1992 to 2016 and he has operated his consulting business since 2007.

McCallister will lead the county through preliminary meetings and a site visit, concept design including an estimated construction and operational budgets, the design phase, and finally, construction. A second company will be hired as the design-build team.

Henry County set aside $22 million dollars for the project—representing over ten percent of estimated collections—in the SPLOST V sales tax program. Henry County is not building the Kensley Grace Aquatic Center and new designs must be developed.

A location has not been finalized for the future building. The vicinity of I-75 at Jodeco Road has been most often mentioned, but would require Henry County to purchase additional property. The county owns property along Henry Parkway in McDonough that could be used if the board so chooses.