Florala Kiwanis offers to help fund lake project

Published 11:59 pm Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Members of the Florala Kiwanis Club offered their help Wednesday to fund the completion of the new community center and amphitheater at Florala State Park.

Mayor Robert Williamson said state department of conservation commissioner Barnett Lawley and director Mark Easterwood, Sen. Jimmy Holley, as well as many city officials and residents attended the meeting.

Williamson, who is also a Kiwanian, said members have offered to “float a loan or seek a grant” to finish construction of the $2 million project — $1 million of which was granted through the state park system and $1 million in labor and equipment donated by the U.S. Air Force’s Innovative Readiness Team (IRT).

Construction was halted in July after the IRT left the city. In September, the state said funding was not available to complete the project.

Williamson said it is unknown if the state can legally partner with the Kiwanis Club but state officials assured members “every effort” is being made to locate funding.