Thanks to a donation of more than $232,000 from local philanthropist Art Williams, the Highlands Swimming Pool will get a face lift.
According to Parks and Recreation Director Lester Norris, the town was approached by Art Williams with the Williams Foundation, who wished to donate money to renovate the pool house at the town’s indoor swimming pool.
The Highlands Pool Complex is a year round facility and is located on the Recreation Park property, next to the Civic Center.
The amount Williams intends to donate is $232,127 and will include the renovation and replacement of facilities in the pool house, entrance foyer and office area.
“We found some rot in the floor and walls,” Norris said. “The flooring needs leveling and replacing.”
Also included in the planned renovation is replacing lockers and floors in the dressing rooms, according to Norris. Plus renovating the foyer, tiling the floor in the foyer and office area, and adding a new kitchenette.
Norris said, “Should the commissioners approve this, the town would need to send the Williams Foundation a request for the donation in the amount of $232,127.”
Along with the request, finance director Rebecca Shuler said commissioners need to approve a budget amendment recognizing the donation from the Williams Foundation in the same amount.
“We need to go ahead and do it because we are going to request the money, so we need you to go ahead and recognize the donation and allot it into donation to the pool and then we will allocate it in capital outlay,” Shuler said. “We don’t need to wait until January, because they want to go ahead and get everything.”
“The donation will be made in early 2020,” Shuler said.
Mayor Patrick Taylor said the town appreciated the Williams Foundation donation.
