Conway’s new mayor gets down to work

The results of Tuesday’s special election in Conway were certified on Thursday.

Mayor-elect Alys Lawson was declared the official winner and said now it’s time to get to work.

Lawson said the swearing-in ceremony has been scheduled for Monday, December 22.  Lawson said her plans for the future of Conway include making the city larger and an indoor recreation center.  And while she said the recreation center is likely going to cost millions of dollars, and money is tight for many towns and cities, Lawson said Conway is in good financial health. 

Lawson said she feels Conway citizens have wanted one for a number of years and now there is a master plan in place, the next step is to secure funding.  And while there are some city funds targeted for the project, Lawson says they aren’t able to afford it all so they’ll look to the county.  “We help the county and we hope they’ll help us and funding and maybe some state money, I realize it’s very tight budget year, but if a phase project, even in a couple of years and then federal money.“

Lawson said the community of Conway may also expand.  She said city leaders are looking at expanding into targeted areas, like near fire stations and along existing sanitation routes.  “We’re already providing service in these areas and so we’re going to try and go ahead and annex the properties within that boundary so that our services will be more productive.“ Lawson said.

The plans for the recreation facility still have to be approved by council.