Polk County has decided to spend between $2,000 and $3,000 to do soil testing at the site of a planned adult day care center after weeks of rain have caused delays in paving a road.

Commissioners met last week and agreed for Polk County Manager Ryan Whitson to order soil testing to ensure the soil is suitable for paving.

The center was initially expected to open around mid-May, but recent rains have delayed the work. The weather has slowed work on outdoor improvements, such as paving a road and cul-de-sac and constructing a covered drop-off point for clients. Interior improvements such as renovations to restrooms and adding a sprinkler system were completed earlier this year.

Commissioners have not set an opening date, but they said last week they were hopeful that the testing will come back positive, so the paving of the road and parking lot can begin as soon as possible.

Whitson said contractors indicated that if the moisture content of the soil was not correct, the paving would crack in the future and cause problems, so contractors felt more comfortable getting soil tests prior to paving.

Commissioners said it normally takes about two weeks to move the dirt. Gravel can then be laid and allowed to sit for a little while prior to paving.

Polk County purchased the former Carolina Classical School buildings off Skyuka Road near Columbus and last year moved the Meeting Place Senior Center there. After a push from the community to provide space for an adult day care center over the last several years, commissioners decided to renovate a building at the rear of the new senior center for the purpose. Rutherford Life Services, which runs a sister center in Rutherford County, will lease the building and run the adult day care center in Polk.

The center in Polk will be named after Don and Betsy Freeman, who were instrumental in getting a center in Polk County.