Cumberland County officials took part in a City-County Liaison Committee Meeting on Thursday, Aug. 1, with leaders from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County Schools and other organizations within the community. The meeting was held at Fayetteville City Hall.

The meetings, which are typically held every other month, provide County and City leaders with an opportunity to provide updates and discuss issues of mutual interest. Three elected officials from each governing board comprise the Committee, including the chair and vice chair of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, as well as the mayor and mayor pro tem for the City of Fayetteville. County elected officials who attended Thursday’s meeting included Board of Commissioners Chairman Glenn Adams and Commissioner Jimmy Keefe.

During Thursday’s meeting, one of the topics discussed was a potential Aquatics Center in the County. An indoor aquatics center was among the top recommendations from the 2020 Parks & Recreation Master Plan.

Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation Director Michael Gibson presented a possible concept for an Indoor Aquatics Center that would include multiple water elements and other amenities. He discussed a possible cost range for a facility, as well as potential partner organizations that could participate in the project.

Chairman Adams offered for County staff to take the lead in moving the discussion forward at a staff-level. The committee voted unanimously for their respective boards to work through the County to determine the next steps  to move an Indoor Aquatics Center forward.

Additionally, City staff presented an update regarding the feasibility of an amusement park located in the County and that next steps would be to engage a consultant to conduct a feasibility study at an estimated cost of $75,000. Chairman Adams said due to the number of major County capital projects currently in development, the County was not interested in participating at this time.

Other items discussed during the meeting included a presentation on the City’s Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan Study and an update from Cumberland County Schools.