Two Oconee parks to get upgrades

Two Oconee County parks are in line for upgrades. In the case of one, that means badly needed restrooms accessible to the handicapped. County Council last night approved projects for just over $900,000 for Chau Ram Park and High Falls. The bathrooms that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act are planned for Chau Ram Park near Westminster, which will also get a new park office. District 3 Councilman Paul Cain said he wasn’t happy with the county’s recent tax hike and county spending, but he was pleased in this case that new county facilities were being made available to the disabled. Fourteen firms competed for the contract, but the Council voted 4-0 to award the contract for $902,602 to J. Davis Construction of Westminster. Council chairman Julian Davis abstained from the vote. Of the total, $200,000 will come from local ATAX funds, $427,602 from the Economic Development Millage Fund and the remaining $275,000 from the county’s general fund.