Foley's plans to bring year-round swimming to Max Griffin Park are also opening the door to upgrades across the park, including new LED lighting for a softball field and underground electrical infrastructure.

Foley City Council approved plans for the additional work as the city prepares for construction of a new indoor Aquatics Center. The improvements are intended to support the new facility while updating existing park amenities and utilities.

The project includes $204,000 for lighting upgrades and other improvements. Foley Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Lee said the city has funding available to improve lighting at the softball field that will remain in the park.

"We would like to use this available funding and put LED lighting on the softball field that is going to remain in Max Griffin Park," Lee told council members.

In addition to the lighting work, the city plans to replace overhead power lines with an underground system. Foley and Riviera Utilities will also upgrade electrical service and transformers to accommodate the Aquatics Center and its lighting systems.

The new facility will include restrooms accessible from outside the building, allowing visitors to use the facilities without entering the Aquatics Center.

The indoor center will replace Foley's municipal pool, which opened at Max Griffin Park in 1953. The new facility is expected to expand opportunities for swimming and other activities throughout the year.

City officials hope to seek construction bids later this year. Construction is expected to take about 18 months once work begins.

The existing outdoor pool will remain open during construction. After the Aquatics Center opens, the city plans to replace the outdoor pool with a different amenity.