The new athletic training center will be in the old band building at Good Hope High School. / Good Hope High School on Facebook
GOOD HOPE – A new athletic training facility for Good Hope Middle and High Schools is in the works, and coaches Alan Scott, Drew Adams and Tyler Hudson were on hand at this week’s city council meeting to discuss the project.
Originally, the school was going to build and equip a new building for $100,000, using a three-phase plan to break up the cost. However, the estimated price became much higher than planned, so the idea was amended to use an already-existing building. By using the old band building (which already has air conditioning, plumbing and two offices), the project's estimated cost was cut in half.
The City’s donation of $32,244, previously for the new facility, will now go toward the purchase of necessary exercise equipment. For the sake of clarity, since the City is going through an audit, the council moved to let the school use the money for the project as it sees fit.
Scott addressed the council, explaining the benefits the training facility will offer. He said that in the past few years, a school-wide strength training program for both boys and girls has been implemented, resulting in seven state champions at the state weightlifting meet. According to Scott, the training building will provide physical education benefits for 250-300 students in both the middle and high school per year, and the donations received will help buy the best equipment possible. Adams commented that when it's finished, the training facility will be the nicest in the county.
Committee reports
Councilman John Harris said that the City’s audit should be done by Thursday and that they've received a very good report so far.
Roads report- Stripers for the paved roads should be coming soon, and two roads would need to be shut down quickly for emergency repairs.
The road in front of Good Hope Baptist Church and the road near the tennis court both have metal pipes underground that have rusted and warped. Due to the threat to the roads' structural integrity, Mayor Jerry Bartlett wants to have the pipes fixed as soon as possible. Both roads will be shut down for repairs July 5.
Utilities report- Despite last week's rainfall (6 inches in four days), the system had no problems.
Councilman Greg Brown reported that the Back-to-School Bash will be July 27 from 5-7 p.m.
The Parks Committee reported a good weekend tournament.
Bartlett reported the community pond, which is currently stocked with minnows, will soon have bass introduced. The bass will feed on the minnows and are expected to grow 1 pound each year.
The City received a request from the Cullman County Museum to put up historical markers for the Alabama Bicentennial. The museum plans to put informational signs in front of two landmarks or monuments in each municipality so visitors can learn more about the community, and the council discussed which two locations should have the signs. Councilwoman Susan Eller suggested the Good Hope Baptist Church and the oldest part of Good Hope School, as those buildings are the oldest sites in town. The council has until August to make a final decision.
A recommendation from the Alcohol Review Committee to grant an alcohol license to Manan, Inc. was approved. The company took over the Exxon gas station and needed an alcohol license in its name.
The council also reviewed Section 94 of the Alabama Constitution, which states: “Municipalities not to grant public money or lend credit to private persons or corporations. The legislature shall not have power to authorize any county, city, town, or other subdivision of this state to lend its credit, or to grant public money or thing of value in aid of, or to any individual, association, or corporation whatsoever, or to become a stockholder in any such corporation, association, or company, by issuing bonds or otherwise.”
The issue came up when the council tried to buy an ad from the high school's quarterback club and a representative of the Good Samaritan Health Clinic called to request donations from different municipalities; City Attorney Rita Nicholas recommended against doing so because of Section 94. The idea is that if the City donates to one nonprofit, it could get into trouble if it refuses funds to another.
The Good Hope City Council meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Good Hope City Hall. The public is welcome to attend.
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