The Rockmart Civic Arts Commission (RVAC), in collaboration with Polk County’s Tourism Committee, plan to install a sculpture in front of the former senior center.

The sculpture would be constructed from welded recycled bicycle parts and include a bicycle rack in the design. It is estimated to be 6 feet high and 8 feet wide and imperious to weather conditions.

Ed Baltes, artist, is to design, create and install the artwork.

Paul Craighead, RVAC board chairman, presented a request to the Rockmart Mayor and Council. They approved the plan if funding is secured.

Craighead said the Arts Commission has applied for a grant to complete the project with the Georgia Council for the Arts and the Georgia Department of Economic Development Tourism Division.

RCAC would contribute $700, the Tourism Committee $1,500 and Georgia Council for the Arts $2,580 if the grant is approved. Total cost will be $4,780.

The project is scheduled for completion by June 2013.

Rockmart City Manager Jeff Ellis said the old senior building is the new home of a Silver Comet Trailhead.

“We plan to put vending machines in the space to allow cyclists a place to rest as they travel along the trail,” he said. “We think it is ideal for this purpose.”

City staff has worked on the interior of the building during the past several weeks. This included stripping, buffing and waxing the floors and painting the interior plus cleaning windows and the exterior of the structure.

Ellis said he has talked with volunteers who have indicated they will support opening the trailhead.

“They have agreed to be at the site during the day. Rockmart police officers will open and close it,” he said.