Waleska has been waiting for an aquatic playground at Cline Park for two years, but the wait should be over by next summer.

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday night approved a $103,944 contract with Timberwolf Pool and Design, Inc. for the installation of the Cline Park Aquatic Playground.

The splash pad project was approved by the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency's board in 2006, but work was delayed because of environmental conditions.

"It has been a long time coming. The environmental permitting was longer than expected," Commissioner Harry Johnston, who represents the area, said. "This will complete Cline Park in a nice way. It is a great addition to a small park."

The project should be completed by the end of May. During the meeting, the board also approved a $32,252 bid from Concrete Modular Systems to install a pre-fabricated restroom building at the park, which was required by the county board of health.

Waleska Mayor Marguerite Cline, who attended Tuesday's meeting to see if the city's wish for water features at the park would finally be realized, was thrilled.

"It is going to be very special to the children of Waleska and the area," she said.

She said use of the park, which already is popular in the community, should increase with the addition of an aquatic playground.

"During the summer, there will be children galore there," she said.

The city will contribute $50,000 to the cost of the project.

The board on Tuesday also voted to apply for a $3.1 million grant through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which was authorized by the U.S. Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 as part of the Community Development Block Grant program.

The program would enable the county government to purchase foreclosed properties. The county then would complete or repair the house and sell it to an eligible buyer. The proceeds from the sale would go back into the county's fund. The grant money also can be used to clear vacant or dilapidated structures and allow for limited new construction associated with cleared properties.

Johnston said the program would need a point person to operate it and some kind of oversight.

Commissioner Jim Hubbard said he supports the program due to its "good potential" because the result would be "more tax-paying homes."

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