By: Glenn Harbison | glenn@fanninbasincitizen.com

 An expansion at the recreation center and improvement in emergency communications are expected to be completed by the end of the year following decisions by the Fannin County commissioners.

L Squared Construction Company was approved to build the expansion at the recreation center on Tom Boyd Road. 

The company submitted the higher of two bids received, $914,600 compared to low bidder Charles Black at $897,107. 

However, L Squared has promised the county to be finished with construction by December 4, while Charles Black’s guarantee was January 26.

Recreation Director Eddie O’Neal told commissioners he would like to see the work done “as quick as I can and have a minimal amount of interruption.”

Since the expansion will be used for the After School program, having it done before the first of the year means the program will be able to accept more children as soon as school starts, O’Neal said.

Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley agreed it would be a good move to get “additional kids in there quicker.”

Also, parking disruptions during basketball season would be minimal.

Commissioners also approved a $10,663.34 equipment purchase recommended by Emergency Management Agency Director Patrick Cooke . The equipment will provide a microwave link between the communications towers at Brawley Mountain and Piney Ridge and the 911 Dispatch Center.

Cooke explained that this data link will provide a roaming system for radios that finds the strongest communication signal. This will greatly improve radio communications for all of Fannin County’s emergency services.

Cooke said Monday the system should be fully functional by the end of the year.

Also approved was a five-year contract with Dalton Communication Phone System for the system at the 911 Center.

911 Director Jill Huffman explained the company held the current contract, which has expired.

The five-year contract will cost $54,322.40.

Both the communication equipment expenses will be paid from the 911 Fund.