Resident urges action on Bernie Ward Community Center after safety incident and ongoing maintenance lapses

A Monica neighborhood resident asked the Augusta Richmond County Commission on June 18 to prioritize repairs to the Bernie Ward Community Center following a 2018 electrocution at the baseball field and continuing safety and maintenance problems.

Angela Burnett told the commission the center has received some upgrades — a gym HVAC installation, new gym equipment, playground upgrades and pool painting — but many problems remain, including an intermittently functioning gym HVAC system, playground areas that retain standing water, antiquated restrooms, meeting rooms without HVAC and damaged driveways following Hurricane Helene. She said the site remains a vital resource for South Augusta residents and urged the commission to allocate funds to complete outstanding renovations and consistent maintenance.

Parks and Recreation Director Williams told commissioners the larger renovation project is being delivered in three phases (pool upgrades, complex/Fleming Park improvements and facility renovations). Williams said design work is about 90–95% complete and that the consultant will finish QA/QC comments in roughly two weeks; after that the plans will be submitted for permitting and the project put out to bid.

Commissioners pressed staff for near-term fixes as the capital project advances. Commissioner Stacey Pulliam and Commissioner Tina Smedley asked that Central Services prioritize work orders so the gym HVAC is repaired promptly; Director Williams confirmed work orders are in place and said staff will prioritize HVAC service. Administrator's staff acknowledged a broader backlog of maintenance needs across county facilities and said they will compile priorities from recreation directors to identify funding needs.

The commission asked Parks staff to make project plans publicly available online so residents can review the proposed changes to the baseball field, which staff said now will be a passive park/multi-use field because the adjacent school is pursuing separate ballfields.

The commission did not take a formal vote on funding at the meeting; staff said follow-up reporting and permitting steps are expected as plans are finalized and the project is prepared for bidding.