Was diving jb yesterday with outlaw caver and the Jackson County Parks Director, Mr. Chuck Hatcher showed up to make sure everyone was checked in at the jackson county sheriff's office (jcso) and to have us move to the top of the hill as the normal pavillion was reserved for the panama city corvette club (rather than dive vehicles the normal handicapped parking area was full of about 30 corvettes).
Chuck told us about the chages at JB that will be coming in the next few weeks:
1. The county will pass an ordinance allowing year round diving...no more closing the park to divers during the swimming season (this will happen this year).
2. Annual passes will be $150 per person...none of the having to show up with 2 people and spend $300.
3. A sliding price scale for divers wanting to do multiple days of diving $25 the first day, $15 the second, $10 the third (examples not actual prices).
4. A colored wrist band system. At the jcso you will get a wrist band for open water, intro, full cave etc. training will be allowed including open water.
5. Security cameras are being installed including a 24/7 webcam (he even mentioned an underwater webcam pointed at the entrance). The fgs is also going to run a cable with some monitoring devices into the cavern.
6. Diver entry is being moved to the east side of the diving board (it's on the west side now). Parking will be on the hill and a ramp will be constructed to a pavillion with gear benches on the east side with a step entry (they are working on the permits process with the state and this one will take some time). They are talking about a path (line) into the cave to avoid interference with swimmers using the diving board (maybe this will be a gap)
7. A switch from a keyed lock gate to a code system that also has a swipe card (you will still have to check in and check out at the jcso).
8. Twin cave will be incorporated into the park as it is on the blue spring park property.
9. Access to caves from the mill pond will be controlled (some of this is still being negotiated and of course this has navigable waterway issues).
10. Longer term plans include allowing camping, they now own the old officers club property above shangrila and are talking about cleaning that up and providing camping.
So be prepared for changes. All this was direct from Mr. Hatcher. I may have missed something or misunderstood him so please let me know if you have any additional info/insight. When the changes that require the commisioners to vote take place i am sure that there will be opportunity for public comment. You might want to monitor meeting agendas if you are interested. Bill Huth
