COLUMBIA, S.C. — Regulars to the Hopkins Park pool have been without their favorite swimming hole since May of 2023.
The pool was closed over safety concerns, including the amount of water escaping through various leaks.
Now, it looks like the pool will finally be ready to reopen next spring.
Monday night, the Richland County Recreation Commission received an update on several important community projects, including the pool.
Taurus Lewis, Executive Director at the recreation commission told commissioners the project is moving forward.
“(At) Hopkins Park pool, the renovations are still continuing. Things are moving forward. (We're) prepared for the painting, door frames, windows. We’re moving in a great direction to hopefully still hit our completion date of some point in January,” Lewis explained.
Another big decision by the commission Monday night was the approval to spend up to $175,000 on new golf carts for LinRick golf course.
Former Columbia Mayor Bob Coble is one of the attorneys for the recreation commission.
He said the commission approved a plan to spread out payments on the carts over several years, which lessens the impact on the commission's budget and that the popular course has proven to be financially successful.
“It’s a very successful golf course. And it’s a recreational feature that people want. I think that’s just part of the mission of the recreation commission,” Coble said.
During Monday night's meeting the commission also awarded their park of the month award to the team at Killian Park and the community center of the month to the Hopkins Adult Activity Center.