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News-Sun photo by KATARA SIMMONS Preparations are under way to fill in the dredge hole at City Pier Beach in Sebring. The city of Sebring contracted with Energy Resources of Missouri to begin filling the hole in today and should complete the job over the next two weeks.

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published: Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Work begins to fill dredge hole; City Pier Beach to re-open soon

By SAMANTHA GHOLAR

sgholar@newssun.com

SEBRING - After several years of 'No Swimming' signs surrounding City Pier Beach, Sebring residents will soon be able to take a big splash in the waters of Lake Jackson now that the city has taken the first steps to making the area safe again.

City officials confirmed early Tuesday morning that the City Pier dredge hole will soon be no more. City Administrator Scott Noethlich and Assistant City Administrator Bob Hoffman were happy to announce that the long awaited project to fill the City Pier dredge hole will begin today.

"Veteran's Beach will be closed from 8 a.m. until about noon," Hoffman said.

According to the city officials, the ramp at Veteran's Beach must be utilized to lower the dredge into the lake. That portion of the project alone will take about two hours.

"We just want everyone to know that the ramp will be utilized so you can't bring your boats or skis or anything out there during that time. We have to use both sides of the ramp to get it into the lake," Noethlich said.

No boaters will be allowed on Veteran's Beach or near the area on Wednesday.

Once the dredge is moved into the correct position at City Pier, the process of correcting the dredge hole will begin.

Sand from a very large area at the bottom of Lake Jackson, adjacent to the dredge hole, will be pumped directly into the hole.

"They have to take it from a very large area so there is enough sand. By utilizing a larger area of sand to fill than the current hole area we are able to get it filled safely," Noethlich said.

Hoffman confirmed Noethlich's statement.

"They have to use sand from a larger area so as not to create another dredge hole," Hoffman said.

The job is expected to be completed in just a couple weeks, depending on weather conditions.

City Pier Beach has been closed for approximately three years while city officials have debated back and forth about what to do regarding the hole.

After much debate about methods of filling, leaving the hole as it currently is and just about every other option available, council members voted to fill the hole completely and begin accepting bids for the task last spring.

Initially, the council voted to budget $80,000 for the dredge hole project but were in for a rude awakening when the bids came in well over budget last summer.

"The project came in $34,417 over budget; the lowest bid being $114,000. Last night we met with the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) and they agreed to an equal share of the original budgeted amount," Noethlich said.

Now, four entities - city of Sebring, CRA, Soil and Water Conservation, and the TDC (Tourism Development Council) - have ponied up $26,666 (give or take a couple dollars) to go towards the project for a total of $106,664.

"There was a difference of $7,748 from the total costs; the city will make up the difference," Noethlich said.

With the start of the project, city officials can check one more huge item off of their to do list. The City Pier Beach is a vital part of the community and has been missed by many in the community. With the upcoming spring weather and spring break holiday, the area will likely be thriving with visitors.

"We're extremely excited about getting this back open to the public," Hoffman said. "City Pier is the best swimming area. It has great facilities, cooking areas, a nice sandy beach; it's a great asset to the community."

"The job could easily be completed by the first of March," Noethlich said. "Hopefully it'll be done and ready by then (spring break)."