Toccoa Approves Alewine Park Lease

The Rapids Futbol Club soccer group will continue to use Alewine Park for its soccer programs.

On Monday, the Toccoa City Commission unanimously approved a new lease agreement with the club for the park.

Toccoa City Manager Billy Morse said that the city and club have agreed to a one-year lease that would automatically renew for two additional years.

“The club will have access to two fields maintained by the city,” said Morse. “The city will pay all utility costs. The club will have access to the bathrooms located in the concessions building. The club will also ensure their players.”

Morse said that the lease also includes a fee that the club will now pay the city.

“The fee the club will pay is $1,000 per season,” said Morse. “They have two seasons so that would be $2,000 per year.”

In addition, the club cannot sublet the facility without city approval.

Toccoa City Commissioners also approved renovations on Monday for the concessions building at Alewine Park.

Morse said the total repairs will cost $11,444.55.

Under that total, the city approved using Shellnut Construction to re-roof the concessions building and two picnic shelters at Alewine Park at a cost of $3,684,90.

The other $7,759.65 will be paid to Ivester Construction to renovate the concession building.

According to Morse, those renovations will include new metal doors, interior and exterior paint, replacement of toilets and light fixtures, and repair of all damaged or rotten areas.

Morse is recommending that the city use a general fund renewal and extension reserve account to pay for the repairs.

Toccoa City Commissioner Terry Carter thanked Morse for his hard work on the lease and Mayor Evan Hellenga thanked the parks committee for getting bids for the concessions building.

The city said renovations are expected to start on the concessions building immediately in order to be done by August 1.

In other news from Monday’s meeting, the city commission held an executive session to discuss property acquisition, but no action was taken following the executive session.