New Master Plan Revealed for Lake Tobesofkee

Bibb County commissioners listened to the redeveloped plan to make Lake Tobesofkee a hot spot for vacationers and businesses.

Wood and Partners has been gathering input and ideas from the community, and drawing up plans to accomodate what people think would help draw more tourism to the lake.

The new plan includes an outdoor water park at Sandy Beach Park, a conference center, and cabins for vacationers.

The plans also show improvements made to boat launches, scenic overlooks, and an amphitheatre where people can watch movies and concerts from the grass, or their boats.

Preliminary estimates for the cost of the project run between $40-$60 million. But project coordinators say after the initial investment for the redevelopment, the attractions would pay for themselves by charging money for using them.

Possible ways to fund the project, should it happen, would be from private donations, federal grants, or creating a SPLOST. Project leaders say other funding options could become available, should the plan move forward.

“We’re beginning to see parks operating like mini businesses,” Project Manager Dave Malcolm explains. “What we’ve taken in this plan, is that if we can create new facilities that have revenue streaming opportunities, that’s a good place to be.”

The Bibb County Board of commissioners will look at the plan again in their next meeting. Chairman Sam Hart says he hopes the board will adopt the plan.

If the plan is adopted, it simply means they will look deeper into things like how to fund the project.