By Justin Averette

The Chilton County Commission voted to take bids on the campground being built at Minooka Park.

The commission voted 5-1 to take bids on the project. Commissioner Joe Headley voted no.

The county has a $172,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to build a campsite at the park off U.S. 31.

The project must be under contract by Jan. 1, 2010, or the money will be given to another county.

Phase 1 of the project will include 16 or 17 campsites as well as power and water improvements.

“We want people to feel like they are camping in the woods, not crammed in an RV park,” said Park Manager Gerald Arrington.

The grant requires a 20 percent match, but site work and other county contributions can be applied against the cost, Arrington said.