Lake Tobesofkee director wants bigger budget to build ‘better’ pavilions

Lake Tobesofkee’s Director, Doug Furney, Jr. believes park visitors want to see more pavilions, because there are few shaded areas throughout the park.

Furney says for years, he’s wanted to add larger pavilions to create space for community and private events, and also to generate more revenue for the park.

Currently, Furney rents out pavilions in Claystone Park for $50 a day, plus a $3 admission fee. If the park builds shelters to fit more than 100 people at a time, Furney plans to charge visitors $150 renters’ fee, plus the $3 admission charge.

“There’s no doubt that it would be a moneymaker,” Furney says, “It would bring a lot more people out, and it would definitely be a plus for Tobesofkee.”

The director’s goal is for more people to use the park’s amenities, and also be a major contributor to the local economy.

“We need to bring more people out and were not going to increase our revenue unless we get more facilities like this to attract to people.”

Furney adds Lake Tobesofkee sees more than 100,000 visitors each year.

Mayor Reichert will present the consolidation budget at the Macon-Bibb County Governement Center located on 700 Poplar Street at 5 p.m.