MACON, Ga. — A six-figure deal to tune up Macon's beloved Lake Tobesofkee is now underway.
Bibb County leaders green-lit the deal last month for Warren Associates Inc. to complete the long-awaited makeover to the Claystone and Arrowhead campgrounds.
Richard Binkley is a professor at Middle Georgia State, but when he's not in the classroom, he makes good use of his annual pass a few times a week along with his dog, Scarlet.
"I think it's such a great amenity, I'm glad they're putting money into it," Binkley said. "She loves it here, she gets so excited, you can see her little tail wagging. Anything that gets more people out here, you know, because it's an undiscovered gem here."
Their walk in the park was closer to the lake this week, so there was no need to worry about piles of gravel, pipes, and shovels that remain around the campground area.
Builders broke ground in Claystone on Tuesday. The $600,000 SPLOST deal will replace worn-down asphalt pads with new concrete parking pads.
Tobesofkee Recreation Director Shan Towns says the excitement is already brewing.
"The last time I think the renovations really were done to the campgrounds were back after the mother's day storm in 2008. That's a really long time," Towns said. "Even when I had to call the campers who had made reservations before we knew we were closing, they didn't seem to be upset about it at all. They were just excited to see what's it gonna look like."
Both campgrounds will receive new electrical boxes and water connections, as well as new docks.
And lakegoers like Richard are in luck, areas surrounding the campgrounds will remain open all season long.
"We're gonna come out here all year round, rain or shine," Binkley said.
The Arrowhead campground is set to close on Dec. 4, but both campgrounds will reopen by the spring of next year.