GARNETT — Could the city of Garnett allow swimming at the Cedar Valley Reservoir? And are city commissioners are willing to risk the development costs? At a recent meeting, City Commissioner Mike Norman said he was asked those questions by a citizen. Although water skiing is allowed at the lake, there has been a ban on swimming ever since the lake was opened in 1984. The city has been reluctant to allow swimming because it could jeopardize the city’s liability insurance coverage. However because of changes in state law, cities have more leeway in offering recreational facilities.
City manager Joyce Martin told the Anderson County Review she talked to the city’s insurance carrier EMC and EMC is now more willing to consider swimming at the lake.
She said that if the city created a swimming beach at the lake, EMC would want to review it. Commissioners are expected to talk about swimming at the lake at their meeting July 28.
