City leaders “crack” ground to launch Briarwood Pool demolition
Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst, center, prepares to kick off demolition of the Briarwood Park pool, joined by City Councilmen Bates Mattison, left, and John Park, right. The new $3.5 million pool will feature competition swim lanes and a “cool surface” deck.
Brookhaven, GA, Oct. 1, 2019 -- On a bright Indian Summer morning, as temperatures were rising to the 90s, it would have seemed like a perfect time for a swim. However, just the opposite was happening at Briarwood Park pool, 2235 Briarwood Way, as Mayor John Ernst and Councilmen John Park and Bates Mattison ceremoniously took jackhammers in hand to begin demolition of the existing pool. Plans call for a sparkling new pool and 4,000 square-foot pool house to be open by the beginning of swim season next Memorial Day.
“There’s no question we are getting things done in Brookhaven,” noted Mayor Ernst. “Two weeks ago, on the Peachtree Creek Greenway, we were breaking ground on a new $15 million Public Safety Building to house our courts and police department. Last week, we unveiled new basketball courts with the Atlanta Hawks at Lynwood Park. Today is the official kickoff of the first major parks bond construction project, which was approved by voters in November of last year.”
Original plans called for only renovating the Briarwood swim facility, but research showed it would be more cost-effective to build a new pool and pool house instead of updating the existing facility to meet current health codes and standards.
“The original estimate for the project was $4 million,” Ernst added, “but, through a competitive bid process, we awarded a contract for $3.5 million to Waterworks Aqua Design, which has been serving North Georgia for 19 years. We will be investing that extra $500,000 back into Parks projects as outlined in the Parks Bond referendum.”
Improvements planned for the Briarwood Park pool area include:
- A new zero-entry pool with spray features for play.
- A 75-foot long six-lane swim competition section
- A “cool surface” pool deck will feature a new pavilion, bleachers, and shade umbrellas.
- A new 4,000 square-foot pool house will contain restrooms, locker rooms, concessions, ticket office and a lifeguard room.
Work on the project should begin immediately in order to have it completed by next May.
More information on the Park Bond Capital Improvement Program and updates on the pool construction progress can be found at www.brookhavenga.gov/parks-bond-ref
